NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 


'NIGHTS 
WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

MYTHS  AND  LEGENDS  OF  THE 
OLD  PLANTATION 


BY 


JOEL   CHANDLER   HARRIS 

AUTHOR  OF  "UNCLE  REMUS:  HIS  SONGS  AND  SAYINGS,' 
"AT  TEAGUE  POTEET'S,"  ETC. 


WITH  ILLUSTRATIONS 


BOSTON  AND  NEW  YORK 
HOUGHTON  MIFFLIN  COMPANY 
Cambrib0e 


GENERAL 


COPYRIGHT  iSSl  BY  THE  CENTURY  CO.,  AND  1883  BY  JOEL  CHANDLER  HARRIS 
ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTEB  PASB 

I.    MR.  Fox  AND  Miss  GOOSE 3 

II.    BROTHER  Fox  CATCHES  MR.  HORSE       ...  8 

III.  BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  LITTLE  GIRL    .     .  12 

IV.  How  BROTHER  Fox  WAS  TOO  SMART      ...  17 
V.     BROTHER  RABBIT'S  ASTONISHING  PRANK     .      .  21 

VI.     BROTHER  RABBIT  SECURES  A  MANSION  ...  26 

VII.     MR.  LION  HUNTS  FOR  MR.  MAN       ....  33 

VIII.     THE  STORY  OF  THE  PIGS 38 

IX.    MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  AND  HIS  WONDERFUL  FID 
DLE  44 

X.     BROTHER  RABBIT'S  RIDDLE 51 

XL    How  MR.  ROOSTER  LOST  HIS  DINNER   ...  56 

XII.     BROTHER  RABBIT  BREAKS  UP  A  PARTY  ...  61 

XIII.  BROTHER  Fox,  BROTHER   RABBIT,  AND   KING 

DEER'S  DAUGHTER 68 

XIV.  BROTHER  TERRAPIN   DECEIVES  BROTHER  BUZ 

ZARD      74 

XV.     BROTHER  Fox  COVETS  THE  QUILLS  ....  79 
XVI.     How     BROTHER    Fox     FAILED    TO    GET    HIS 

GRAPES 83 

XVII.      MR.    FOX   FIGURES   AS   AN   INCENDIARY      ...  90 

XVIII.     A  DREAM  AND  A  STORY 95 

XIX.    THE  MOON  IN  THE  MILL-POND 100 

XX.     BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  SOME  EXERCISE     .      .  108 
XXL    WHY  BROTHER  BEAR  HAS  NO  TAIL  .                 .113 


VI 


CONTENTS 


XXII.  How    BROTHER    RABBIT    FRIGHTENED    HIS 

NEIGHBORS 118 

XXIII.  MR.  MAN  HAS  SOME  MEAT 123 

XXIV.  How  BROTHER  RABBIT  GOT  THE  MEAT       .  128 
XXV.  AFRICAN  JACK 132 

XXVI.  WHY  THE  ALLIGATOR'S  BACK  is  ROUGH      .  141 

XXVII.  BROTHER  WOLF  SAYS  GRACE 146 

XXVIII.  SPIRITS,  SEEN  AND  UNSEEN 154 

XXIX.  A  GHOST  STORY 161 

XXX.  BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT    .  166 

XXXI.  "  IN  SOME  LADY'S  GARDEN  " 177 

XXXII.  BROTHER  TOSSUM  GETS  IN  TROUBLE     .      .185 

XXXIII.  WHY  THE  GUINEA -FOWLS  ARE  SPECKLED    .  193 

XXXIV.  BROTHER  RABBIT'S  LOVE-CHARM       .      .      .  198 
XXXV.  BROTHER  RABBIT  SUBMITS  TO  A  TEST    .      .  203 

XXXVI.  BROTHER  WOLF  FALLS  A  VICTIM  .      .      .      .208 

XXXVII.  BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  MOSQUITOES     .  214 

XXXVIII.  THE  PIMMERLY  PLUM 223 

XXXIX.  BROTHER  RABBIT  GETS  THE  PROVISIONS      .  230 

XL.  "CUTTA  CORD-LA!" 236 

XLI.  AUNT  TEMPY'S  STORY 241 

XLII.  THE  FIRE-TEST 248 

XLIII.  THE  CUNNING  SNAKE 255 

XLIV.  How  BROTHER  Fox  WAS  TOO  SMART     .      .  260 
XLV.  BROTHER  WOLF  GETS  IN  A  WARM  PLACE    .  268 
XLVI.  BROTHER  WOLF  STILL  IN  TROUBLE   .      .      .  274 
XLVII.  BROTHER  RABBIT  LAYS  IN  HIS   BEEF  SUP 
PLY  280 

XLVIII.  BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MR.  WILDCAT     .      .  286 

XLIX.  MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  DEFENDS  HIMSELF      .  291 


CONTENTS 


Vll 


L.  BROTHER  RABBIT  PRETENDS  TO  BE  POISONED  297 

LI.  MORE  TROUBLE  FOR  BROTHER  WOLF  .      .      .   302 

LII.  BROTHER  RABBIT  OUTDOES  MR.  MAN  .      .      .   306 

LIII.  BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  A  WALK    .      .      .      .311 

LIV.  OLD  GRINNY-GRANNY  WOLF 314 

LV.  How  WATTLE  WEASEL  WAS  CAUGHT    .      .      .319 

LVI.  BROTHER  RABBIT  TIES  MR.  LION    ....   325 

LVII.  MR.  LION'S  SAD  PREDICAMENT 330 

LVIII.  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE  OCEAN 334 

LIX.  BROTHER     RABBIT     GETS     BROTHER      Fox's 

DINNER 339 

LX.  How  THE   BEAR   NURSED    THE    LITTLE  ALLI 
GATOR  344 

LXI.  WHY  MR.  DOG  RUNS  BROTHER  RABBIT     .      .   349 

LXII.  BROTHER  WOLF  AND  THE  HORNED  CATTLE  .     353 

LXIII.  BROTHER  Fox  AND  THE  WHITE  MUSCADINES    357 

LXIV.  MR.  HAWK  AND  BROTHER  BUZZARD     .      .      .   362 

LXV.  MR.  HAWK  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT  ....   366 

LXVI.  THE  WISE  BIRD  AND  THE  FOOLISH  BIRD       .   370 

LXVII.  OLD  BROTHER  TERRAPIN  GETS  SOME  FISH      .   373 

LXVIII.  BROTHER  Fox  MAKES  A  NARROW  ESCAPE       .   377 

LXIX.  BROTHER  Fox's  FISH-TRAP 381 

LXX.  BROTHER    RABBIT    RESCUES    BROTHER    TER 
RAPIN  386 

LXXI.  THE  NIGHT  BEFORE  CHRISTMAS  .  396 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

FACE  PAGE 

Miss  MEADOWS  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT       .     Frontispiece 

MR.  Fox  AND  Miss  GOOSE 4 

BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  LITTLE  GIRL 14 

BROTHER  RABBIT'S  ASTONISHING  PRANK 24 

MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  AND  HIS  WONDERFUL  FIDDLE    .      .     46 
BROTHER   Fox,  BROTHER    RABBIT,    AND    KING     DEER'S 

DAUGHTER .70 

BROTHER  Fox  COVETS  THE  QUILLS 82 

A  DREAM  AND  A  STORY 96 

BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  SOME  EXERCISE 110 

WHY  BROTHER  BEAR  HAS  NO  TAIL 116 

WHY  THE  ALLIGATOR'S  BACK  is  ROUGH 144 

BROTHER  WOLF  SAYS  GRACE 152 

WHY  THE  GUINEA  FOWLS  ARE  SPECKLED 196 

BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  MOSQUITOES 216 

THE  PIMMERLY  PLUM 228 

BROTHER  RABBIT  GETS  THE  PROVISIONS 234 

BROTHER  WOLF  STILL  IN  TROUBLE 278 

BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MR.  WILDCAT 288 

BROTHER  RABBIT  TIES  MR.  LION 328 

How  THE  BEAR  NURSED  THE  LITTLE  ALLIGATOR       .     .  344 
GOOD-NIGHT  .  404 


INTRODUCTION 

THE  volume l  containing  an  instalment  of  thirty-four  negro 
legends,  which  was  given  to  the  public  three  years  ago,  was 
accompanied  by  an  apology  for  both  the  matter  and  the 
manner.  Perhaps  such  an  apology  is  more  necessary  now 
than  it  was  then ;  but  the  warm  reception  given  to  the  book 
on  all  sides  —  by  literary  critics,  as  well  as  by  ethnologists 
and  students  of  folk-lore,  in  this  country  and  in  Europe  — 
has  led  the  author  to  believe  that  a  volume  embodying 
everything,  or  nearly  everything,  of  importance  in  the  oral 
literature  of  the  negroes  of  the  Southern  States,  would  be 
as  heartily  welcomed. 

The  thirty-four  legends  in  the  first  volume  were  merely 
selections  from  the  large  body  of  plantation  folk-lore  famil 
iar  to  the  author  from  his  childhood,  and  these  selections 
were  made  less  with  an  eye  to  their  ethnological  importance 
than  with  a  view  to  presenting  certain  quaint  and  curious 
race  characteristics,  of  which  the  world  at  large  had  had 
either  vague  or  greatly  exaggerated  notions. 

The  first  book,  therefore,  must  be  the  excuse  and  apology 
for  the  present  volume.  Indeed,  the  first  book  made  the 
second  a  necessity;  for,  immediately  upon  its  appearance, 

1  Uncle  Remus ;  His  Songs  and  His  Sayings.  The  Folk-Lore  of  the  Old 
Plantation.  New  York :  D.  Appletou  &  Co.  1880. 


xii  INTRODUCTION 

letters  and  correspondence  began  to  pour  in  upon"  the 
author  from  all  parts  of  the  South.  Much  of  this  corre 
spondence  was  very  valuable,  for  it  embodied  legends  that 
had  escaped  the  author's  memory,  and  contained  hints  and 
suggestions  that  led  to  some  very  interesting  discoveries. 
The  result  is,  that  the  present  volume  is  about  as  complete 
as  it  could  be  made  under  the  circumstances,  though  there 
is  no  doubt  of  the  existence  of  legends  and  myths,  espe 
cially  upon  the  rice  plantations,  and  Sea  Islands  of  the 
Georgia  and  Carolina  seacoast,  which,  owing  to  the  diffi 
culties  that  stand  in  the  way  of  those  who  attempt  to  gather 
them,  are  not  included  in  this  collection. 

It  is  safe  to  say,  however,  that  the  best  and  most  charac 
teristic  of  the  legends  current  on  the  rice  plantations  and 
Sea  Islands,  are  also  current  on  the  cotton  plantations. 
Indeed,  this  has  been  abundantly  verified  in  the  correspond 
ence  of  those  who  kindly  consented  to  aid  the  author  in 
his  efforts  to  secure  stories  told  by  the  negroes  on  the  sea- 
coast.  The  great  majority  of  legends  and  stories  collected 
and  forwarded  by  these  generous  collaborators  had  already 
been  collected  among  the  negroes  on  the  cotton  plantations 
and  uplands  of  Georgia  and  other  Southern  States.  This 
will  account  for  the  comparatively  meagre  contribution 
which  Daddy  Jack,  the  old  African  of  the  rice  plantations, 
makes  towards  the  entertainment  of  the  little  boy. 

The  difficulty  of  verifying  the  legends  which  came  to 
hand  from  various  sources  has  been  almost  as  great  as  the 
attempt  to  procure  them  at  first  hand.  It  is  a  difficulty 
hard  to  describe.  It  is  sometimes  amusing,  and  sometimes 


INTRODUCTION  xiii 

irritating,  but  finally  comes  to  be  recognized  as  the  result  of 
a  very  serious  and  impressive  combination  of  negro  charac 
teristics.  The  late  Professor  Charles  F.  Hartt,  of  Cornell 
University,  in  his  admirable  monograph1  on  the  folk-lore  of 
the  Amazon  regions  of  Brazil,  found  the  same  difficulty 
among  the  Amazonian  Indians.  Exploring  the  Amazonian 
valley,  Professor  Hartt  discovered  that  a  great  body  of 
myths  and  legends  had  its  existence  among  the  Indians  of 
that  region.  Being  aware  of  the  great  value  of  these  myths, 
he  set  himself  to  work  to  collect  them ;  but  for  a  long  time 
he  found  the  task  an  impossible  one,  for  the  whites  were 
unacquainted  with  the  Indian  folk-lore,  and  neither  by 
coaxing  nor  by  offers  of  money  could  an  Indian  be  per 
suaded  to  relate  a  myth.  In  most  instances,  Professor  Hartt 
was  met  with  statements  to  the  effect  that  some  old  woman 
of  the  neighborhood  was  the  story-teller,  who  could  make 
him  laugh  with  tales  of  the  animals;  but  he  never  could 
find  this  old  woman. 

But  one  night,  Professor  Hartt  heard  his  Indian  steers 
man  telling  the  Indian  boatmen  a  story  in  order  to  keep 
them  awake.  This  Indian  steersman  was  full  of  these 
stories,  but,  for  a  long  time,  Professor  Hartt  found  it  im 
possible  to  coax  this  steersman  to  tell  him  another.  He  dis 
covered  that  the  Indian  myth  is  always  related  without 
mental  effort,  simply  to  pass  the  time  away,  and  that  all  the 
surroundings  must  be  congenial  and  familiar. 

In  the  introduction  to  the  first  volume  of  "  Uncle  Re 
mus"  2  occurs  this  statement:  "Curiously  enough,  I  have 

1  Amazonian  Tortoise  Myths,  pp.  2,  3.  2  Page  10. 


xiv  INTRODUCTION 

found  few  negroes  who  will  acknowledge  to  a  stranger  that 
they  know  anything  of  these  legends ;  and  yet  to  relate  one 
is  the  surest  road  to  their  confidence  and  esteem." 

This  statement  was  scarcely  emphatic  enough.  The 
thirty-four  legends  in  the  first  volume  were  comparatively 
easy  to  verify,  for  the  reason  that  they  were  the  most  popu 
lar  among  the  negroes,  and  were  easily  remembered.  This 
is  also  true  of  many  stories  in  the  present  volume  ;  but 
some  of  them  appear  to  be  known  only  to  the  negroes  who 
have  the  gift  of  story-telling,  —  a  gift  that  is  as  rare  among 
the  blacks  as  among  the  whites.  There  is  good  reason  to 
suppose,  too,  that  many  of  the  negroes  born  near  the  close 
of  the  war  or  since,  are  unfamiliar  with  the  great  body  of 
their  own  folk-lore.  They  have  heard  such  legends  as  the 
"Tar  Baby"  story  and  "The  Moon  in  the  Mill-Pond," 
and  some  others  equally  as  graphic;  but,  in  the  tumult  and 
confusion  incident  to  their  changed  condition,  they  have 
had  few  opportunities  to  become  acquainted  with  that 
wonderful  collection  of  tales  which  their  ancestors  told  in 
the  kitchens  and  cabins  of  the  Old  Plantation.  The  older 
negroes  are  as  fond  of  the  legends  as  ever,  but  the  occasion, 
or  the  excuse,  for  telling  them  becomes  less  frequent  year 
by  year. 

With  a  fair  knowledge  of  the  negro  character,  and  long 
familiarity  with  the  manifold  peculiarities  of  the  negro 
mind  and  temperament,  the  writer  has,  nevertheless,  found 
it  a  difficult  task  to  verify  such  legends  as  he  had  not  al 
ready  heard  in  some  shape  or  other.  But,  as  their  impor 
tance  depended  upon  such  verification,  he  has  spared 


INTRODUCTION  xv 

neither  pains  nor  patience  to  make  it  complete.  The  diffi 
culties  in  the  way  of  this  verification  would  undoubtedly 
have  been  fewer  if  the  writer  could  have  had  an  opportu 
nity  to  pursue  his  investigations  in  the  plantation  districts 
of  Middle  Georgia;  but  circumstances  prevented,  and  he 
has  been  compelled  to  depend  upon  such  opportunities  as 
casually  or  unexpectedly  presented  themselves. 

One  of  these  opportunities  occurred  in  the  summer  of 
1882,  at  Norcross,  a  little  railroad  station,  twenty  miles 
northeast  of  Atlanta.  The  writer  was  waiting  to  take  the 
train  to  Atlanta,  and  this  train,  as  it  fortunately  happened, 
was  delayed.  At  the  station  were  a  number  of  negroes, 
who  had  been  engaged  in  working  on  the  railroad.  It  was 
night,  and,  with  nothing  better  to  do,  they  were  waiting  to 
see  the  train  go  by.  Some  were  sitting  in  little  groups  up 
and  down  the  platform  of  the  station,  and  some  were 
perched  upon  a  pile  of  cross-ties.  They  seemed  to  be  in 
great  good-humor,  and  cracked  jokes  at  each  other's  ex 
pense  in  the  midst  of  boisterous  shouts  of  laughter.  The 
writer  sat  next  to  one  of  the  liveliest  talkers  in  the  party; 
and,  after  listening  and  laughing  awhile,  told  the  "Tar 
Baby  "  story  by  way  of  a  feeler,  the  excuse  being  that  some 
one  in  the  crowd  mentioned  "  Ole  Molly  Har'."  The  story 
was  told  in  a  low  tone,  as  if  to  avoid  attracting  attention ; 
but  the  comments  of  the  negro,  who  was  a  little  past  middle 
age,  were  loud  and  frequent.  "  Dar  now ! "  he  would  ex 
claim,  or,  "  He 's  a  honey,  mon ! "  or,  "  Gentermens !  git 
out  de  way,  an'  gin  'im  room ! " 

These  comments,  and  the  peals  of  unrestrained  and 


xvi  INTRODUCTION 

unrestrainable  laughter  that  accompanied  them,  drew  the 
attention  of  the  other  negroes,  and  before  the  climax  of 
the  story  had  been  reached,  where  Brother  Rabbit  is 
cruelly  thrown  into  the  brier-patch,  they  had  all  gathered 
around  and  made  themselves  comfortable.  Without  wait 
ing  to  see  what  the  effect  of  the  "  Tar  Baby  "  legend  would 
be,  the  writer  told  the  story  of  "  Brother  Rabbit  and  the 
Mosquitoes,"  and  this  had  the  effect  of  convulsing  them. 
Two  or  three  could  hardly  wait  for  the  conclusion,  so  anx 
ious  were  they  to  tell  stories  of  their  own.  The  result  was 
that,  for  almost  two  hours,  a  crowd  of  thirty  or  more 
negroes  vied  with  each  other  to  see  which  could  tell  the 
most  and  the  best  stories.  Some  told  them  poorly,  giving 
only  meagre  outlines,  while  others  told  them  passing  well; 
but  one  or  two,  if  their  language  and  their  gestures  could 
have  been  taken  down,  would  have  put  Uncle  Remus  to 
shame.  Some  of  the  stories  told  had  already  been  gathered 
and  verified,  and  a  few  had  been  printed  in  the  first  vol 
ume  ;  but  the  great  majority  were  either  new  or  had  been 
entirely  forgotten.  It  was  night,  and  impossible  to  take 
notes;  but  that  fact  was  not  to  be  regretted.  The  darkness 
gave  greater  scope  and  freedom  to  the  narratives  of  the 
negroes,  and  but  for  this  friendly  curtain  it  is  doubtful  if 
the  conditions  would  have  been  favorable  to  story-telling. 
But  however  favorable  the  conditions  might  have  been,  the 
appearance  of  a  note-book  and  pencil  would  have  dissi 
pated  them  as  utterly  as  if  they  had  never  existed.  More 
over,  it  was  comparatively  an  easy  matter  for  the  writer  to 
take  the  stories  away  in  his  memory,  since  many  of  them 


INTRODUCTION  xvii 

gave  point  to  a  large  collection  of  notes  and  unrelated  frag 
ments  already  in  his  possession. 

Theal,  in  the  preface  to  his  collection  of  Kaffir  Tales,1 
lays  great  stress  upon  the  fact  that  the  tales  he  gives  "  have 
all  undergone  a  thorough  revision  by  a  circle  of  natives. 
They  were  not  only  told  by  natives,  but  were  copied  down 
by  natives."  It  is  more  than  likely  that  his  carefulness  in 
this  respect  has  led  him  to  overlook  a  body  of  folk-lore 
among  the  Kaffirs  precisely  similar  to  that  which  exists 
among  the  negroes  of  the  Southern  States.  If  comparative 
evidence  is  worth  anything,  — -  and  it  may  be  worthless  in 
this  instance,  —  the  educated  natives  have  "  cooked  "  the 
stories  to  suit  themselves.  In  the  "  Story  of  the  Bird  that 
Made  Milk,"  the  children  of  Masilo  tell  other  children  that 
their  father  has  a  bird  which  makes  milk.2  The  others 
asked  to  see  the  bird,  whereupon  Masilo's  children  took  it 
from  the  place  where  their  father  had  concealed  it,  and 
ordered  it  to  make  milk.  Of  this  milk  the  other  children 
drank  greedily,  and  then  asked  to  see  the  bird  dance.  The 
bird  was  untied,  but  it  said  the  house  was  too  small,  and 
the  children  carried  it  outside.  While  they  were  laughing 
and  enjoying  themselves  the  bird  flew  away,  to  their  great 
dismay.  Compare  this  with  the  story  of  how  the  little  girl 
catches  Brother  Rabbit  in  the  garden  (of  which  several 
variants  are  given),  and  afterwards  unties  him  in  order  to 

1  Kaffir  Folk-Lore ;  or,  A  Selection  from  the  Traditional  Tales  current 
among  the  People  living  on  the  Eastern  Border  of  the  Cape  Colony.   London, 
1882. 

2  Kaffir  Folk-Lore,  p.  43. 


xviii  INTRODUCTION 

see  him  dance.1  There  is  still  another  version  of  this  story, 
where  Mr.  Man  puts  a  bridle  on  Brother  Rabbit  and  ties 
him  to  the  fence.  Mr.  Man  leaves  the  throat-latch  of  the 
bridle  unfastened,  and  so  Brother  Rabbit  slips  his  head 
out,  and  afterwards  induces  Brother  Fox  to  have  the  bridle 
put  on,  taking  care  to  fasten  the  throat-latch. 

The  Brother  Rabbit  of  the  negroes  is  the  hare,  and  what 
is  "  The  Story  of  Hlakanyana  "  2  but  the  story  of  the  hare 
and  other  animals  curiously  tangled,  and  changed,  and 
inverted  ?  Hlakanyana,  after  some  highly  suggestive  ad 
ventures,  kills  two  cows  and  smears  the  blood  upon  a  sleep 
ing  boy.8  The  men  find  the  cows  dead,  and  ask  who  did  it. 
They  then  see  the  blood  upon  the  boy,  and  kill  him,  under 
the  impression  that  he  is  the  robber.  Compare  this  with  the 

1  Professor  Hartt,  in  his  Amazonian  Tortoise  Myths,  relates  the  story  of 
"  The  Jabuti  that  Cheated  the  Man."    The  Jabuti  is  identical  with  Brother 
Terrapin.    The  man  carried  the  Jabuti  to  his  house,  put  him  in  a  box,  and 
went  out.   By  and  by  the  Jabuti  began  to  sing-,  just  as  Brother  Rabbit  did. 
The  man's  children  listened,  and  the  Jabuti  stopped.    The  children  begged 
him  to  continue,  but  to  this  he  replied  :  "If  you  are  pleased  with  my  sing 
ing,  how  much  more  would  you  be  pleased  if  you  could  see  me  dance." 
The  children  thereupon  took  him  from  the  box,  and  placed  him  in  the  mid 
dle  of  the  floor,  where  he  danced,  to  their  great  delight.    Presently,  the 
Jabuti  made  an  excuse  to  go  out,  and  fled.   The  children  procured  a  stone, 
painted  it  like  the  tortoise,  and  placed  it  in  the  box.   After  a  while  the  man 
returned,  took  the  painted  stone  from  the  box  and  placed  it  on  the  fire, 
where  it  burst  as  soon  as  it  became  heated.    Meantime,  the  Jabuti  had 
taken  refuge  in  a  burrow  having  two  openings,  so  that,  while  the  man  was 
looking  in  at  one  opening,  the  tortoise  would  appear  at  another.   Professor 
Hartt  identifies  this  as  a  sun-myth  —  the  slow-sun  (or  tortoise)  escaping 
from  the  swift-moon  (or  man). 

2  Kaffir  Folk-Lore,  p.  84.  »  Page  89. 


INTRODUCTION  xix 

story  in  the  first  volume  of  Uncle  Remus,  where  Brother 
Rabbit  eats  the  butter,  and  then  greases  Brother  Possum's 
feet  and  mouth,  thus  proving  the  latter  to  be  the  rogue. 
Hlakanyana  also  eats  all  the  meat  in  the  pot,  and  smears 
fat  on  the  mouth  of  a  sleeping  old  man.  Hlakanyana's  feat 
of  pretending  to  cure  an  old  woman,  by  cooking  her  in 
a  pot  of  boiling  water,  is  identical  with  the  negro  story 
of  how  Brother  Rabbit  disposes  of  Grinny-Granny  Wolf. 
The  new  story  of  Brother  Terrapin  and  Brother  Mink, 
relating  how  they  had  a  diving-match,  in  order  to  see  who 
should  become  the  possessor  of  a  string  of  fish,  is  a  variant 
of  the  Kaffir  story  of  Hlakanyana's  diving-match  with  the 
boy  for  some  birds.  Hlakanyana  eats  the  birds  while  the 
boy  is  under  water,  and  Brother  Terrapin  disposes  of 
the  fish  in  the  same  way;  but  there  is  this  curious  differ 
ence:  while  Hlakanyana  has  aided  the  boy  to  catch  the 
birds,  Brother  Terrapin  has  no  sort  of  interest  in  the  fish. 
The  negro  story  of  how  Brother  Rabbit  nailed  Brother 
Fox's  tail  to  the  roof  of  the  house,  and  thus  succeeded  in 
getting  the  Fox's  dinner,  is  identical  with  Hlakanyana's 
feat  of  sewing  the  Hyena's  tail  to  the  thatch.  When  this 
had  been  accomplished,  Hlakanyana  ate  all  the  meat  in 
the  pot,  and  threw  the  bones  at  the  Hyena. 

But  the  most  curious  parallel  of  all  exists  between  an 
episode  in  "The  Story  of  Hlakanyana,"  and  the  story  of 
how  the  Bear  nursed  the  Alligators  (p.  344).  This  story 
was  gathered  by  Mrs.  Helen  S.  Barclay,  of  Darien,  Georgia, 
whose  appreciative  knowledge  of  the  character  and  dialect 
of  the  coast  negro  has  been  of  great  service  to  the  writer. 


xx  INTRODUCTION 

Hlakanyana  came  to  the  house  of  a  Leopardess,  and  pro 
posed  to  take  care  of  her  children  while  the  Leopardess 
went  to  hunt  animals.  To  this  the  Leopardess  agreed. 
There  were  four  cubs,  and,  after  the  mother  was  gone, 
Hlakanyana  took  one  of  the  cubs  and  ate  it.  When  the 
Leopardess  returned,  she  asked  for  her  children,  that  she 
might  suckle  them.  Hlakanyana  gave  one,  but  the  mother 
asked  for  all.  Hlakanyana  replied  that  it  was  better  one 
should  drink  and  then  another ;  and  to  this  the  Leopardess 
agreed.  After  three  had  suckled,  he  gave  the  first  one  back 
a  second  time.  This  continued  until  the  last  cub  was  eaten, 
whereupon  Hlakanyana  ran  away.  The  Leopardess  saw 
him,  and  gave  pursuit.  He  ran  under  a  big  rock,  and  began 
to  cry  for  help.  The  Leopardess  asked  him  what  the  mat 
ter  was.  "  Do  you  not  see  that  this  rock  is  falling  ? "  replied 
Hlakanyana.  "  Just  hold  it  up  while  I  get  a  prop  and  put 
under  it."  While  the  Leopardess  was  thus  engaged,  he 
made  his  escape.  This,  it  will  be  observed,  is  the  climax  of 
a  negro  legend  entirely  different  from  Daddy  Jack's  story 
of  the  Bear  that  nursed  the  Alligators,  though  the  rock 
becomes  a  fallen  tree.  In  the  "  Story  of  the  Lion  and  the 
Little  Jackal,"  *  the  same  climax  takes  the  shape  of  an 
episode.  The  Lion  pursues  the  Jackal,  and  the  latter  runs 
under  an  overhanging  rock,  crying  "  Help !  help !  this  rock 
is  falling  on  me ! "  The  Lion  goes  for  a  pole  with  which  to 
prop  up  the  rock,  and  so  the  Jackal  escapes.  It  is  worthy 
of  note  that  a  tortoise  or  terrapin,  which  stands  next  to 
Brother  Rabbit  in  the  folk-lore  of  the  Southern  negroes,  is 
1  Kaffir  Folk-Lore,  p.  178. 


INTRODUCTION  xxi 

the  cause  of  Hlakany ana's  death.  He  places  a  Tortoise  on 
his  back  and  carries  it  home.  His  mother  asks  him  what 
he  has  there,  and  he  tells  her  to  take  it  off  his  back.  But 
the  Tortoise  would  not  be  pulled  off.  Hlakanyana's  mother 
then  heated  some  fat,  and  attempted  to  pour  it  on  the  Tor 
toise,  but  the  Tortoise  let  go  quickly,  and  the  fat  fell  on 
Hlakanyana  and  burnt  him  so  that  he  died.  The  story 
concludes:  "That  is  the  end  of  this  cunning  little  fellow." 
Theal  also  gives  the  story  of  Demane  and  Demazana,1  a 
brother  and  sister,  who  were  compelled  to  run  away  from 
their  relatives  on  account  of  bad  treatment.  They  went  to 
live  in  a  cave  which  had  a  very  strong  door.  Demane  went 
hunting  by  day,  and  told  his  sister  not  to  roast  any  meat  in 
his  absence,  lest  the  cannibals  should  smell  it  and  discover 
their  hiding-place.  But  Demazana  would  not  obey.  She 
roasted  some  meat,  a  cannibal  smelt  it,  and  went  to  the 
cave,  but  found  the  door  fastened.  Thereupon  he  tried  to 
imitate  Demane's  voice,  singing : 

"Demazana,  Demazana, 
Child  of  my  mother, 
Open  this  cave  to  me. 
The  swallows  can  enter  it. 
It  has  two  apertures." 

The  cannibal's  voice  was  hoarse,  and  the  girl  would  not 
let  him  in.  Finally,  he  has  his  throat  burned  with  a  hot 
iron,  his  voice  is  changed,  and  the  girl  is  deceived.  He 
enters  and  captures  her.  Compare  this  with  the  story  of 
the  Pigs,  and  also  with  the  group  of  stories  of  which  Daddy 
i  Page  111. 


xxii  INTRODUCTION 

Jack's  "Cutta  Cord-la!"  is  the  most  characteristic.  In 
Middle  Georgia,  it  will  be  observed,  Brother  Rabbit  and 
his  children  are  substituted  for  the  boy  and  his  sister  ; 
though  Miss  Devereux,  of  Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  who, 
together  with  her  father,  Mr.  John  Devereux,  has  laid  the 
writer  under  many  obligations,  gathered  a  story  among 
the  North  Carolina  negroes  in  which  the  boy  and  the  sister 
appear.  But  to  return  to  the  Kaffir  story :  When  the  can 
nibal  is  carrying  Demazana  away,  she  drops  ashes  along 
the  path.  Demane  returns  shortly  after  with  a  swarm  of 
bees  which  he  has  captured,  and  finds  his  sister  gone.  By 
means  of  the  ashes,  he  follows  the  path  until  he  comes  to 
the  cannibal's  house.  The  family  are  out  gathering  wood, 
but  the  cannibal  himself  is  at  home,  and  has  just  put  Dema 
zana  in  a  big  bag  where  he  intends  to  keep  her  until  the  fire 
is  made.  The  brother  asks  for  a  drink  of  water.  The  can 
nibal  says  he  will  get  him  some  if  he  will  promise  not  to 
touch  his  bag.  Demane  promises ;  but,  while  the  cannibal 
is  gone  for  the  water,  he  takes  his  sister  out  of  the  bag  and 
substitutes  the  swarm  of  bees.  When  the  cannibal  returns 
with  the  water,  his  family  also  return  with  the  firewood. 
He  tells  his  wife  there  is  something  nice  in  the  bag,  and 
asks  her  to  bring  it.  She  says  it  bites.  He  then  drives  them 
all  out,  closes  the  door,  and  opens  the  bag.  The  bees  fly 
out  and  sting  him  about  the  head  and  eyes  until  he  can  no 
longer  see.  Compare  this  with  the  negro  story  (No.  LXX.) 
of  how  Brother  Fox  captures  Brother  Terrapin.  Brother 
Terrapin  is  rescued  by  Brother  Rabbit,  who  substitutes  a 
hornet's  nest.  This  story  was  told  to  the  writer  by  a  colored 


INTRODUCTION  xxiii 

Baptist  preacher  of  Atlanta,  named  Robert  Dupree,  and 
>also  by  a  Henry  County  negro,  named  George  Ellis. 

Compare,  also,  the  Kaffir  "  Story  of  the  Great  Chief  of 
the  Animals  "  l  with  the  negro  story  of  "The  Fate  of  Mr. 
Jack  Sparrow."  2  In  the  Kaffir  story,  a  woman  sees  the 
chief  of  the  animals  and  calls  out  that  she  is  hunting  for  her 
children.  The  animal  replies:  "Come  nearer;  I  cannot 
hear  you."  He  then  swallows  the  woman.  In  the  negro 
story,  Mr.  Jack  Sparrow  has  something  to  tell  Brother  Fox; 
but  the  latter  pretends  he  is  deaf,  and  asks  Jack  Sparrow 
to  jump  on  his  tail,  on  his  back,  and  finally  on  his  tooth. 
There  is  a  variant  of  this  story  current  among  the  coast 
negroes  where  the  Alligator  is  substituted  for  the  Fox. 
The  Kaffir  "  Story  of  the  Hare  "  is  almost  identical  with 
the  story  of  Wattle  Weasel  in  the  present  volume.  The 
story  of  Wattle  Weasel  was  among  those  told  by  the  rail 
road  hands  at  Norcross,  but  had  been  previously  sent  to 
the  writer  by  a  lady  in  Selma,  Alabama,  and  by  a  corre 
spondent  in  Galveston.  In  another  Kaffir  story,  the  Jackal 
runs  into  a  hole  under  a  tree,  but  the  Lion  catches  him  by 
the  tail.  The  Jackal  cries  out :  "  That  is  not  my  tail  you 
have  hold  of.  It  is  a  root  of  the  tree.  If  you  don't  believe, 
take  a  stone  and  strike  it  and  see  if  any  blood  comes." 
The  Lion  goes  to  hunt  for  a  stone,  and  the  Jackal  crawls 
far  into  the  hole.  In  the  first  volume  of  Uncle  Remus, 
Brother  Fox  tries  to  drown  Brother  Terrapin  ;  but  the 
latter  declares  that  his  tail  is  a  stump-root,  and  so  escapes. 

1  Kaffir  Folk-Lore,  p.  166. 

2  Uncle  Remus :  His  Songs  and  Sayings,  xix.  p.  88. 


xxiv  INTRODUCTION 

The  Amazonian  Indians  tell  of  a  Jaguar  who  catches  a  Tor 
toise  by  the  hind  leg  as  he  is  disappearing  in  his  hole ;  but 
the  Tortoise  convinces  him  that  he  is  holding  a  tree-root.1 
In  the  Kaffir  story  of  the  Lion  and  the  Jackal,  the  latter 
made  himself  some  horns  from  beeswax  in  order  to  attend 
a  meeting  of  the  horned  cattle.  He  sat  near  the  fire  and 
went  to  sleep,  and  the  horns  melted,  so  that  he  was  dis 
covered  and  pursued  by  the  Lion.  In  a  negro  story  that  is 
very  popular,  Brother  Fox  ties  two  sticks  to  his  head,  and 
attends  the  meeting  of  the  horned  cattle,  but  is  cleverly 
exposed  by  Brother  Rabbit. 

There  is  a  plantation  proverb  current  among  the  negroes 
which  is  very  expressive.  Thus,  when  one  accidentally  steps 
in  mud  or  filth,  he  consoles  himself  by  saying  '*  Good  thing 
foot  aint  got  no  nose."  Among  the  Kaffirs  there  is  a  similar 
proverb,  —  "  The  foot  has  no  nose,"  -  but  Mr.  Theal's 
educated  natives  have  given  it  a  queer  meaning.  It  is  thus 
interpreted:  "This  proverb  is  an  exhortation  to  be  hos 
pitable.  It  is  as  if  one  said:  Give  food  to  the  traveller, 
because  when  you  are  on  a  journey  your  foot  will  not  be 
able  to  smell  out  a  man  whom  you  have  turned  from  your 
door,  but,  to  your  shame,  may  carry  you  to  his."  It  need 
not  be  said  that  this  is  rather  ahead  of  even  the  educated 
Southern  negroes. 

To  compare  the  negro  stories  in  the  present  volume  with 
those  translated  by  Bleek  2  would  extend  this  introduction 

1  Amazonian  Tortoise  Myths,  p.  29. 

2  Reynard,  the  Fox,  in  South  Africa,'  or,  Hottentot  Fables  and  Tales.  By 
W.  H.  I.  Bleek,  Ph.  D.   London,  1864. 


INTRODUCTION 


XXV 


beyond  its  prescribed  limits,  but  such  a  comparison  would 
show  some  very  curious  parallels.  It  is  interesting  to  ob 
serve,  among  other  things,  that  the  story  of  How  the  Tor 
toise  Outran  the  Deer  —  current  among  the  Amazonian 
Indians,  and  among  the  negroes  of  the  South,  —  the  deer 
sometimes  becoming  the  Rabbit  in  the  South,  and  the  cara- 
pato,  or  cow-tick,  sometimes  taking  the  place  of  the  Tor 
toise  on  the  Amazonas  —  has  a  curious  counterpart  in  the 
Hottentot  Fables.1  One  day,  to  quote  from  Bleek,  "the 
Tortoises  held  a  council  how  they  might  hunt  Ostriches, 
and  they  said:  'Let  us,  on  both  sides,  stand  in  rows,  near 
each  other,  and  let  one  go  to  hunt  the  Ostriches,  so  that 
they  must  flee  along  through  the  midst  of  us.'  They  did 
so,  and  as  they  were  many,  the  Ostriches  were  obliged  to 
run  along  through  the  midst  of  them.  During  this  they 
did  not  move,  but,  remaining  always  in  the  same  places, 
called  each  to  the  other  :  '  Are  you  there  ? '  and  each  one 
answered :  '  I  am  here.'  The  Ostriches,  hearing  this,  ran  so 
tremendously  that  they  quite  exhausted  their  strength,  and 
fell  down.  Then  the  Tortoises  assembled  by  and  by  at  the 
place  where  the  Ostriches  had  fallen,  and  devoured  them." 
There  is  also  a  curious  variant 2  of  the  negro  story  of  how 
Brother  Rabbit  escapes  from  Brother  Fox  by  persuading 
him  to  fold  his  hands  and  say  grace.  In  the  Hottentot 
story,  the  Jackal  catches  the  Cock,  and  is  about  to  eat  him, 
when  the  latter  says :  "  Please  pray  before  you  kill  me,  as 
the  white  man  does."  The  Jackal  desires  to  know  how  the 
white  man  prays.  "He  folds  his  hands  in  praying,"  says 
1  Page  32.  2  Bleek,  p.  23. 


xxvi  INTRODUCTION 

the  Cock.  This  the  Jackal  does,  but  the  Cock  tells  the 
Jackal  he  should  also  shut  his  eyes.  Whereupon  the  Cock 
flies  away. 

In  his  preface,  Bleek  says  that  the  Hottentot  fable  of 
the  White  Man  and  the  Snake  is  clearly  of  European  origin ; 
but  this  is  at  least  doubtful.  The  Man  rescues  the  Snake 
from  beneath  a  rock,  whereupon  the  Snake  announces  her 
intention  of  biting  her  deliverer.  The  matter  is  referred 
to  the  Hyena,  who  says  to  the  Man :  "  If  you  were  bitten, 
what  would  it  matter  ? "  But  the  Man  proposed  to  consult 
other  wise  people  before  being  bit,  and  after  a  while  they 
met  the  Jackal.  The  case  was  laid  before  him.  The  Jackal 
said  he  would  not  believe  that  the  Snake  could  be  covered 
by  a  stone  so  that  she  could  not  rise,  unless  he  saw  it  with 
his  two  eyes.  The  Snake  submitted  to  the  test,  and  when 
she  was  covered  by  the  stone  the  Jackal  advised  the  Man 
to  go  away  and  leave  her.  Now,  there  is  not  only  a  variant 
of  this  story  current  among  the  Southern  negroes  (which  is 
given  in  the  present  volume),  where  Brother  Rabbit  takes 
the  place  of  the  Man,  Brother  Wolf  the  place  of  the  Snake, 
and  Brother  Terrapin  the  place  of  the  Jackal,  but  Dr. 
Couto  de  Magalhaes  l  gives  in  modern  Tupi  a  story  \vhere 
the  Fox  or  Opossum  finds  a  Jaguar  in  a  hole.  He  helps  the 
Jaguar  out,  and  the  latter  then  threatens  to  eat  him.  The 
Fox  or  Opossum  proposes  to  lay  the  matter  before  a  wise 
man  who  is  passing  by,  with  the  result  that  the  Jaguar  is 
placed  back  in  the  hole  and  left  there. 

1  (ySelvagem,  p.  237.    Quoted  by  Mr.  Herbert  H.  Smith,  in  his  work 
Brazil  and  the  Amazons. 


INTRODUCTION  xxvii 

With  respect  to  the  Tortoise  myths,  and  other  animal 
stories  gathered  on  the  Amazonas,  by  Professor  Hartt  and 
Mr.  Herbert  Smith,  it  may  be  said  that  all  or  nearly  all  of 
them  have  their  variants  among  the  negroes  of  the  South 
ern  plantations.  This  would  constitute  a  very  curious  fact 
if  the  matter  were  left  where  Professor  Hartt  left  it  when 
his  monograph  was  written.  In  that  monograph l  he  says: 
"The  myths  I  have  placed  on  record  in  this  little  paper 
have,  without  doubt,  a  wide  currency  on  the  Amazonas, 
but  I  have  found  them  only  among  the  Indian  population, 
and  they  are  all  collected  in  the  Lingua  Geral.  All  my  at 
tempts  to  obtain  myths  from  the  negroes  on  the  Amazonas 
proved  failures.  Dr.  Couto  de  Magalhaes,  who  has  re 
cently  followed  me  in  these  researches,  has  had  the  same 
experience.  The  probability,  therefore,  seems  to  be  that 
the  myths  are  indigenous,  but  I  do  not  yet  consider  the  case 
proven."  Professor  Hartt  lived  to  prove  just  the  contrary; 
but,  unfortunately,  he  did  not  live  to  publish  the  result  of 
his  investigations.  Mr.  Orville  A.  Derby,  a  friend  of  Pro 
fessor  Hartt,  writes  as  follows  from  Rio  de  Janeiro: 

DEAR  SIR,  —  In  reading  the  preface  to  Uncle  Remus,2  it  oc 
curred  to  me  that  an  observation  made  by  my  late  friend  Pro 
fessor  Charles  Fred.  Hartt  would  be  of  interest  to  you. 

At  the  time  of  the  publication  of  his  Amazonian  Tortoise 
Myths,  Professor  Hartt  was  in  doubt  whether  to  regard  the  myths 
of  the  Amazonian  Indians  as  indigenous  or  introduced  from 
Africa.  To  this  question  he  devoted  a  great  deal  of  attention, 
making  a  careful  and,  for  a  long  time,  fruitless  search  among 
the  Africans  of  this  city  for  some  one  who  could  give  undoubted 

1  Page  37.  2  The  first  volume. 


xxviii  INTRODUCTION 

African  myths.  Finally  he  had  the  good  fortune  to  find  an  intelli 
gent  English-speaking  Mina  black,  whose  only  knowledge  of  Por 
tuguese  was  a  very  few  words  which  he  had  picked  up  during  the 
short  time  he  had  been  in  this  country,  a  circumstance  which 
strongly  confirms  his  statement  that  the  myths  related  by  him 
were  really  brought  from  Africa.  From  this  man  Professor 
Hartt  obtained  variants  of  all  or  nearly  all  of  the  best  known 
Brazilian  animal  myths,  and  convinced  himself  that  this  class  is 
not  native  to  this  country.  The  spread  of  these  myths  among 
the  Amazonian  Indians  is  readily  explained  by  the  intimate  as 
sociation  of  the  two  races  for  over  two  hundred  years,  the  taking 
character  of  the  myths,  and  the  Indian's  love  for  stories  of  this 
class,  in  which  he  naturally  introduces  the  animals  familiar  to 
him.  .  .  .  Yours  truly, 

ORVILLE  A.  DERBY. 
Caixa  em  Correio,  No.  721, 
Rio  de  Janeiro. 

Those  who  are  best  acquainted  with  the  spirit,  move 
ment,  and  motive  of  African  legends  will  accept  Mr, 
Derby's  statement  as  conclusive.  It  has  been  suspected 
even  by  Professor  J.  W.  Powell,  of  the  Smithsonian  Insti 
tution,  that  the  Southern  negroes  obtained  their  myths  and 
legends  from  the  Indians;  but  it  is  impossible  to  adduce 
in  support  of  such  a  theory  a  scintilla  of  evidence  that  can 
not  be  used  in  support  of  just  the  opposite  theory,  namely  s 
that  the  Indians  borrowed  their  stories  from  the  negroes. 
The  truth  seems  to  be  that,  while  both  the  Indians  and  the 
negroes  have  stories  peculiar  to  their  widely  different  races 
and  temperaments,  and  to  their  widely  different  ideas  of 
humor,  the  Indians  have  not  hesitated  to  borrow  from  the 
negroes.  The  "  Tar  Baby  "  story,  which  is  unquestionably 


INTRODUCTION  xxix 

a  negro  legend  in  its  conception,  is  current  among  many 
tribes  of  Indians.  So  with  the  story  of  how  the  Rabbit 
makes  a  riding-horse  of  the  Fox  or  the  Wolf.  This  story  is 
also  current  among  the  Amazonian  Indians.  The  same 
may  be  said  of  the  negro  coast  story  "  Why  the  Alligator's 
Back  is  Rough."  Mr.  W.  O.  Tuggle,  of  Georgia,  who  has 
recently  made  an  exhaustive  study  of  the  folk-lore  of  the 
Creek  Indians,  has  discovered  among  them  many  legends, 
which  were  undoubtedly  borrowed  from  the  negroes, 
including  those  already  mentioned,  the  story  of  how  the 
Terrapin  outran  the  Deer,  and  the  story  of  the  discon 
tented  Rabbit,  who  asks  his  Creator  to  give  him  more 
sense.  In  the  negro  legend,  it  will  be  observed,  the  Rabbit 
seeks  out  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money,  the  old  Witch-Rab 
bit.  It  may  be  mentioned  here,  that  the  various  branches  of 
the  Algonkian  family  of  Indians  allude  to  the  Great  White 
Rabbit  as  their  common  ancestor.1  All  inquiries  among 
the  negroes,  as  to  the  origin  and  personality  of  Mammy- 
Bammy  Big-Money,  elicit  but  two  replies.  Some  know,  or 
even  pretend  to  know,  nothing  about  her.  The  rest  say, 
with  entire  unanimity,  "Hit's  des  de  ole  Witch-Rabbit 
w'at  you  done  year'd  talk  un  'fo'  now."  Mrs.  Prioleau  of 
Memphis  sent  the  writer  a  negro  story  in  which  the  name 
"  Big-Money  "  was  vaguely  used.  It  was  some  time  before 
that  story  could  be  verified.  In  conversation  one  day  with 
a  negro,  casual  allusion  was  made  to  "Big-Money." 
"  Aha ! "  said  the  negro,  "  now  I  know.  You  talkin'  'bout 
ole  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money,"  and  then  he  went  on  to 
1  D.  G.  Brinton's  Myths,  pp.  161-170. 


xxx  INTRODUCTION 

tell,  not  only  the  story  which  Mrs.  Prioleau  had  kindly 
sent,  but  the  story  of  Brother  Rabbit's  visit  to  the  old 
Witch-Rabbit. 

Mr.  Tuggle's  collection  of  Creek  legends  will  probably 
be  published  under  the  auspices  of  the  Smithsonian  Insti 
tution,  and  it  will  form  a  noteworthy  contribution  to  the 
literature  of  American  folk-lore.  In  the  Creek  version  of 
the  origin  of  the  ocean,  the  stream  which  the  Lion  jumps 
across  is  called  Throwing-Hot-Ashes-on-You.  Another 
Creek  legend,  which  bears  the  ear-marks  of  the  negroes, 
but  which  the  writer  has  been  unable  to  find  among  them, 
explains  why  the  'Possum  has  no  hair  on  his  tail.  It  seems 
that  Noah,  in  taking  the  animals  into  the  ark,  forgot  the 
'Possums ;  but  a  female  'Possum  clung  to  the  side  of  the  ves 
sel,  and  her  tail  dragging  in  the  water,  all  the  hair  came  off. 
No  male  'Possum,  according  to  the  story,  was  saved.  Mr. 
Tuggle  has  also  found  among  the  Creeks  a  legend  which 
gives  the  origin  of  fire.  One  time,  in  the  beginning,  the 
people  all  wanted  fire,  and  they  came  together  to  discuss 
the  best  plan  of  getting  it.  It  was  finally  agreed  that  the 
Rabbit  (Chufee)  should  go  for  it.  He  went  across  the  great 
water  to  the  east,  and  was  there  received  with  acclamation 
as  a  visitor  from  the  New  World.  A  great  dance  was  or 
dered  in  his  honor.  They  danced  around  a  large  fire,  and 
the  Rabbit  entered  the  circle  dressed  very  gayly.  He  had  a 
peculiar  cap  upon  his  head,  and  in  this  cap,  in  place  of 
feathers,  he  had  stuck  four  sticks  of  resin,  or  resinous  pine. 
As  the  people  danced,  they  came  near  the  fire  in  the  centre 
of  the  circle,  and  the  Rabbit  also  approached  near  the  fire. 


INTRODUCTION  xxxi 

Some  of  the  dancers  would  reach  down  and  touch  the  fire 
as  they  danced,  while  the  Rabbit,  as  he  came  near  the  fire, 
would  bow  his  head  to  the  flame.  No  one  thought  any 
thing  of  this,  and  he  continued  to  bow  to  the  fire,  each  time 
bowing  his  head  lower.  At  last  he  touched  the  flame  with 
his  cap,  and  the  sticks  of  resin  caught  on  fire  and  blazed 
forth.  Away  he  ran,  the  people  pursuing  the  sacrilegious 
visitor.  The  Rabbit  ran  to  the  great  water,  plunged  in,  and 
swam  away  to  the  New  World ;  and  thus  was  fire  obtained 
for  the  people. 

The  student  of  folk-lore  who  will  take  into  consideration 
the  widely  differing  peculiarities  and  characteristics  of  the 
negroes  and  the  Indians,  will  have  no  difficulty,  after  mak 
ing  due  allowance  for  the  apparent  universality  of  all  primi 
tive  folk-stories,  in  distinguishing  between  the  myths  or 
legends  of  the  two  races,  though  it  sometimes  happens,  as 
in  the  case  of  the  negro  story  of  the  Rabbit,  the  Wildcat, 
and  the  Turkeys,  that  the  stories  are  built  upon  until  they 
are  made  to  fit  the  peculiarities  of  the  race  that  borrows 
them.  The  Creek  version  of  the  Rabbit,  Wildcat,  and 
Turkey  story  is  to  the  effect  that  the  Wildcat  pretended  to 
be  dead,  and  the  Rabbit  persuaded  the  Turkeys  to  go  near 
him.  When  they  are  near  enough,  the  Rabbit  exclaims: 
'*  Jump  up  and  catch  a  red-leg !  jump  up  and  catch  a  red- 
leg!"  The  Wildcat  catches  one,  and  proceeds  to  eat  it, 
whereupon  the  Turkeys  pursue  the  Rabbit,  and  peck  and 
nip  him  until  his  tail  comes  off,  and  this  is  the  reason  the 
Rabbit  has  a  short  tail.  The  Creeks,  as  well  as  other  tribes, 
were  long  in  contact  with  the  negroes,  some  of  them  were 


xxxii  INTRODUCTION 

owners  of  slaves,  and  it  is  perhaps  in  this  way  that  the  ani 
mal  stories  of  the  two  races  became  in  a  measure  blended. 
The  discussion  of  this  subject  cannot  be  pursued  here,  but 
it  is  an  interesting  one.  It  offers  a  wide  field  for  both  specu 
lation  and  investigation. 

The  "Cutta  Cord-la"  story  (p.  241)  of  Daddy  Jack  is 
in  some  respects  unique.  It  was  sent  to  the  writer  by  Mrs. 
Martha  B.  Washington,  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 
and  there  seems  to  be  no  doubt  that  it  originated  in  San 
Domingo  or  Martinique.  The  story  of  how  Brother  Rab 
bit  drove  all  the  other  animals  out  of  the  new  house  they 
had  built,  by  firing  a  cannon  and  pouring  a  tub  of  water 
down  the  stairway,  has  its  variant  in  Demerara.  Indeed, 
it  was  by  means  of  this  variant,  sent  by  Mr.  Wendell  P. 
Garrison,  of  "The  Nation"  (New  York),  that  the  negro 
story  was  procured. 

In  the  introduction  to  the  first  volume  of  Uncle  Remus, 
a  lame  apology  was  made  for  inflicting  a  book  of  dialect 
upon  the  public.  Perhaps  a  similar  apology  should  be 
made  here  ;  but  the  discriminating  reader  does  not  need 
to  be  told  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  separate  these 
stories  from  the  idiom  in  which  they  have  been  recited  for 
generations.  The  dialect  is  a  part  of  the  legends  them 
selves,  and  to  present  them  in  any  other  way  would  be  to 
rob  fhem  of  everything  that  gives  them  vitality.  The  dia 
lect  of  Daddy  Jack,  which  is  that  of  the  negroes  on  the 
Sea  Islands  and  the  rice  plantations,  though  it  may  seem 
at  first  glance  to  be  more  difficult  than  that  of  Uncle  Re 
mus,  is,  in  reality,  simpler  and  more  direct.  It  is  the  negro 


INTRODUCTION  xxxiii 

dialect  in  its  most  primitive  state  —  the  "  Gullah "  talk 
of  some  of  the  negroes  on  the  Sea  Islands,  being  merely 
a  confused  and  untranslatable  mixture  of  English  and 
African  words.  In  the  introductory  notes  to  "  Slave  Songs 
of  the  United  States"  may  be  found  an  exposition  of 
Daddy  Jack's  dialect  as  complete  as  any  that  can  be  given 
here.  A  key  to  the  dialect  may  be  given  very  briefly.  The 
vocabulary  is  not  an  extensive  one  —  more  depending 
upon  the  manner,  the  form  of  expression,  and  the  in 
flection,  than  upon  the  words  employed.  It  is  thus  an 
admirable  vehicle  for  story-telling.  It  recognizes  no 
gender,  and  scorns  the  use  of  the  plural  number  except 
accidentally.  '"E"  stands  for  "he"  "she"  or  "it,"  and 
"  dem "  may  allude  to  one  thing,  or  may  include  a 
thousand.  The  dialect  is  laconic  and  yet  rambling,  full 
of  repetitions,  and  abounding  in  curious  elisions,  that 
give  an  unexpected  quaintness  to  the  simplest  state 
ments.  A  glance  at  the  following  vocabulary  will  en 
able  the  reader  to  understand  Daddy  Jack's  dialect  per 
fectly,  though  allowance  must  be  made  for  inversions 
and  elisions. 

E'er,  brother.  Dey-dey,  here,  down  there,  right 

Beer,  bear.  here. 

Bittle,  victuals.  Enty,  ain't  he  ?    an    exclama- 

Bret,  breath.  tion  of  astonishment  or  as- 

Buckra,  white  man,  overseer,         sent. 

boss.  Gwan,  going. 
Churrah,  churray,  spill,  splash.      Leaf,  leave. 

Da,  the,  that.  Lif,  live. 

Dey,  there.  Lit,  lil-a,  or  lilly,  little. 


xxxiv  INTRODUCTION 

Lun,  learn.  T'in&, ort'ovght,  think, thought 

M ek,  make.  T'row,  throw. 

Neat\  or  nead,  underneath,  be-     Titty,  or  titter,  sissy,  sister. 

neath.  Trute,  truth. 

Oona,  you,  all  of  you.  Turrer,  or  tarrah,  the  other. 

Sem,  same.  Tusty,  thirsty. 

Shum,  see  them,  saw  them.  Urrer,  other. 

Tarn,  time.  Wey,  where. 

'Tan\  stand.  Wun,  when. 

Tankee,  thanks,  thank  you.  Wut,  what. 

Tark,  or  tahlk,  talk.  Y'et  or  ut,  earth. 

Teer,  tear.  Yeddy,  or  yerry,  heard,  hear. 

Tek,  take.  Ferrf,  ain't,  is  n't. 

The  trick  of  adding  a  vowel  to  sound  words  is  not  un- 
pleasing  to  the  ear.  Thus :  "  I  bin-a  wait  fer  you ;  come-a 
ring-a  dem  bell.  Wut  mek-a  (or  mekky)  you  stay  so  ? " 
"Yeddy,"  "yerry,"  and  probably  "churry"  are  the  re 
sult  of  this  —  heard-a,  yeard-a,  yeddy;  hear-a,  year-a, 
yerry;  chur-a,  churray.  When  "eye"  is  written  "y-eye," 
it,  is  to  be  pronounced  "yi."  In  such  words  as  "back," 
"'ax,"  a  has  the  sound  of  ah.  They  are  written  "bank," 
"ahx." 

Professor  J.  A.  Harrison  of  the  Washington  and  Lee 
University,  Lexington,  Virginia,  has  recently  written  a  pa 
per  on  "The  Creole  Patois  of  Louisiana,"1  which  is  full 
of  interest  to  those  interested  in  the  study  of  dialects.  In 
the  course  of  his  paper,  Professor  Harrison  says :  "  Many 
philologists  have  noted  the  felicitous  aWwirifcciv  of  Uncle 
Remus  in  the  negro  dialect  of  the  South.  The  Creole 

1  The  American  Journal  of  Philology,  vol.  iii.  no.  11. 


INTRODUCTION  xxxv 

lends  itself  no  less  felicitously  to  the  recit  and  to  the  conte, 
as  we  may  say  on  good  authority.  The  fables  of  La  Fon 
taine  and  Perrin,  and  the  Gospel  of  St.  John  have,  in 
deed,  been  translated  into  the  dialect  of  San  Domingo 
or  Martinique;  lately  we  have  had  a  Greek  plenipoten 
tiary  turning  Dante  into  the  idiom  of  New  Hellas ;  what 
next?  Any  one  who  has  seen  the  delightful  *  Chansons 
Canadiennes '  of  M.  Ernest  Gagnon  (Quebec,  1880)  knows 
what  pleasant  things  may  spring  from  the  na'ive  conscious 
ness  of  the  people.  The  Creole  of  Louisiana  lends  itself 
admirably  to  those  petits  poemes,  those  simple  little  drama 
tic  tales,  compositions,  improvisations,  which,  shunning  the 
regions  of  abstraction  and  metaphysics,  recount  the  experi 
ences  of  a  story-teller,  put  into  striking  and  pregnant  syl 
labuses  the  memorabilia  of  some  simple  life,  or  sum  up  in 
pointed  monosyllables  the  humor  of  plantation  anecdote." 
Professor  Harrison  alludes  to  interesting  examples  of  the 
Creole  negro  dialect  that  occur  in  the  works  of  Mr.  George 
W.  Cable,  and  in  "  L'Habitation  Saint-Ybars,"  by  Dr. 
Alfred  Mercier,  an  accomplished  physician  and  litterateur 
of  New  Orleans.  In  order  to  show  the  possibilities  of  the 
Creole  negro  dialect,  the  following  Conte  Negre,  after  Dr. 
Mercier,  is  given.  The  story  is  quoted  by  Professor  Harri 
son,  and  the  literal  interlinear  version  is  inserted  by  him  to 
give  a  clue  to  the  meaning.  The  Miss  Meadows  of  the 
Georgia  negro,  it  will  be  perceived,  becomes  Mamzel  Ca- 
linda,  and  the  story  is  one  with  which  the  readers  of  the 
first  volume  of  Uncle  Remus  are  familiar.  It  is  entitled 
"Manage  Mile.  Calinda." 


xxxvi  INTRODUCTION 

1.  Dan  tan  le  zote  foi,  compair  Chivreil  ave  compair 

Dans  temps  les  autres  fois,  compere  Chevreuil  avec  compere 

2.  Torti  te  tou  le  de  ape  fe  lamou  a  Mamzel  Calinda. 
Tortue  etaient  tous  les  deux  apres  faire  1'amour  a  Made 
moiselle   Calinda. 

3.  Mamzel  Calinda  te  linmin  mie  compair  Chivreil,  cofair 
Mile.  Calinda  avait  aime  mieux  compere  Chevreuil,  [pour] 

quoi  faire 

4.  li  pli  vai'an;  me  li  te  linmin  compair  Torti  oucite, 

le   plus  vaillant ;   mais    elle   avait  aime  compere  Tortue 
aussi, 

5.  li  si  tan  gagnin  bon  tchor !     Popa  Mamzel  Calinda  di  li : 
il  si  tant  gagner  bon  coeur!     Papa  Mile.  Calinda  dire  lui : 

6.  "  Mo  fie,  li  tan  to  maie;  fo  to  soizi  cila  to  oule."     Landimin, 
"Ma  fille,  il  (est)  temps  te  marier;   faut  te  choisir  cela  tu 

voulez."     Lendemain, 

7.  compair  Chivreil  ave  compair  Torti  rive  tou  ye  de  cote 

Mile.  C. 

compere  Chevreuil  avec  compere  Tortue  arriver  tous  eux 
de  cote  Mile.  C. 

8.  Mamzel  C.,  qui  te  zongle  tou  la  nouite,  di  ye:    "Michie 

Chivreil  ave 

Mile.  C.,  qui  avait  songe  toute  la  nuit,  dire  eux:    "Mon 
sieur  Chevreuil  avec 

9.  Michie  Torti,  mo  popa  oule  mo  mai'e.     Mo  pa  oule  di  ain 
Monsieur  Tortue,  mon  papa  vouloir  me  marier.     Moi  pas 

vouloir  dire  un 

10.  dan  ouzote  non.     Ouzote  a  galope  ain  lacourse  dice  foi 

cate 

dans  vous  autres  non.     Vous  autres  va  galopper  une  la 
course  dix  fois  quatre 

11.  narpan;  cila  qui  sorti  divan,  ma  mai'e  ave  li.     Ape  dimin 
arpents;    cela  qui  sortir  devant,  moi  va  marier  avec  lui. 

Apres  demain 


INTRODUCTION  xxxvii 

12.  dimance,    ouzote    a    galope."     Ye    parti    couri,    compair 

Chivreil 

dimanche,  vous  autres  va  galopper."     Eux  partir  courir, 
compere  Chevreuil 

13.  zo  tchor  contan;  compair  Torti  ape  zongle  li-minme : 

son  cceur  content;  compere  Tortue  apres  songer  lui-meme: 

14.  "Dan  tan  pace,  mo  granpopa  bate  compair  Lapin  pou 
"Dans  temps  passe,  mon  grandpapa  battre  compere  Lapin 

pour 

15.  galope.     Pa  conin  coman  ma  fe  pou   bate   compair  Chi 

vreil." 

galopper.     Pas  Conner   (=  connaitre)   comment   moi  va 
faire  pour  battre  compere  Chevreuil." 

16.  Dan  tan  cila,  nave  ain  vie,  vie  cocodri  qui  te  gagnin 
Dans  temps  cela  en  avait  un  vieux,  vieux  crocodile  qui 

avait  gagne 

17.  plice  pace  cincante  di  zan.     Li  te  si  malin,  ye  te  pele  li 
plus  passe   cinquante   dix   ans.     Lui  etait  si  malin,  eux 

avaient  appele  lui 

18.  compair   Zavoca.     La   nouite   vini,   compair   Torti   couri 

trouve 

compere  Avocat.     La  nuit  venir,  compere  Tortue  courir 
trouver 

19.  compair  Zavoca,  e  conte  li  coman  li  barace  pou  so 
compere  Avocat,  et  conter  lui  comment  lui  embarrasser 

pour  sa 

20.  lacourse.      Compair    Zavoca    di    compair    Torti:    "Mo 

ben 

la  course.     Compere  Avocat  dire  compere  Tortue:    "Moi 
bien 

21.  oule  ide  toi,  mo  ga£on;  nou  proce  minme  famie;  la  tair 
vouloir  aider  toi,  mon  ga^on;   nous  proche  meme  famille; 

la  terre 

22.  ave  do  lo  minme  kichoge  pou  nizote.     Mo  zongle  zafair 


xxxviii  INTRODUCTION 

avec  de  1'eau  meme  quelquechose  pour  nous  autres.     Moi 
va  songer  cette  affaire 

23.  To  vini  dimin  bon  matin;  ma  di  toi  qui  pou  fe." 

Toi  venir  demain  bon  matin;    moi  va  dire  toi  que  pour 
faire." 

24.  Compair  Torti  couri  couce ;  me  li  pas  dromi  boucou, 
Compere  Tortue  courir  couch er;  mais  lui  pas  dormir  beau- 
coup, 

25.  li  te  si  tan  tracasse.   Bon  matin  li  parti  couri 

lui  etait  si  tant  tracasse.     Bon  matin  lui  partir  courir 

26.  cote  compair  Zavoca.     Compair  Zavoca  dija  diboute  ape 
cote  compere  Avocat.  Compere  Avocat  deja  debout  apres 

27.  boi  so  cafe.     "Bonzou,  Michie  Zavoca."     "Bonzou,  mo 
boire   son   cafe.     "Bonjour,   Monsieur   Avocat."     "Bon- 
jour,  mon 

28.  ga9on.     Zafair  cila  donne  moin  boucou  traca;  min  mo 
gar9on.     Cette  affaire  cela  donne  moi  beaucoup  tracas; 

mais  moi 

29.  ere  ta  bate  compair  Chivreil,  si  to  fe  mekie  ma  di  toi." 
crois  toi  va  battre  compere  Chevreuil,  si  toi  fais  metier  moi 

va  dire  toi." 

30.  "  Vouzote  a  pranne  jige  jordi  pou  misire  chimin  au  ra 
"Vous  autres  va  prendre  juge  aujourd'hui  pour  mesurer 

chemin  au  ras 

31.  bayou;  chac  cate  narpan  mete  jalon.     Compair  Chivreil  a 
bayou;  chaque  quatre  arpents  mettez  jalon.    Compere  Che 
vreuil  va 

32.  galope  on  la  tair ;  toi,  ta  galope  dan  dolo.     To  ben  com- 

pranne 

galopper  en  la  terre ;  toi,  tu  va  galopper  dans  de  1'eau. 
Toi  bien  comprendre 

33.  9a  mo  di  toi  ?"     "  O,  oui,  compair  Zavoca,  mo  ben 

cela  moi  dire  toi  ?  "     "O,  oui,  compere  Avocat,  moi  bien 

34.  coute  tou  9a  vape  di."     "A  soua,  can  la  nouite  vini, 


INTRODUCTION  xxxix 

ecouter  tout  cela  vous  apres  dire."     "Le  soir,  quand  la 
nuit  venir, 

35 .  ta  couri  pranne  nef  dan  to  zami,  e  ta  chache  aine  dan 

toi  va  courir  prendre  neuf  dans  tes  amis,  et  toi  va  cacher 
un  dans 

36.  zerb  au  ra  chakene  zalon  ye.     Toi,  ta  couri  cache  au  ra 
herbe  au  ras  chacun  jalon  eux.     Toi,  toi  va  courir  cacher 

au  ras 

37.  la  mison  Mamzel  Calinda.     To  ben  compranne  9a  mo  di 

toi?" 

la  maison  Mile.  Calinda.     Toi  bien  comprendre  cela  moi 
dire  toi  ?  " 

38.  "O,  oui,  compair  Zavoca,  mo  tou  compranne  mekie  9a  vou 
"O,  oui,  compere  Avocat,  moi  tout  comprendre  metier  cela 

vous 

39.  di."     "Eben!  couri  pare  pou  so ve  lonnair  nou  nachion." 
dire."     "Eh  bien!  courir  preparer  pour  sauver  1'honneur 

notre  nation." 

40.  Compair  Torti  couri  cote  compair  Chivreil  e  range  tou 
Compere  Tortue  courir  cote  compere  Chevreuil  et  arranger 

tout 

41.  kichoge  compair  Zavoca  di   li.     Compair  Chivreil  si  tan 

sire 

quelquechose   compere  Avocat   dire   lui.     Compere  Che 
vreuil  si  tant  sur 

42.  gagnin  lacourse,  li  di  oui  tou  ca  compair  Torti  oule. 
gagner  la  course,  lui  dire  oui  tout  cela  compere  Tortue 

vouloir. 

43.  Landimin  bon  matin,  tou  zabitan  semble  pou  oua 
Lendemain  bon  matin,  tous  habitants  assembler  pour  voir 

44.  gran  lacourse.     Can  lhair  rive,  compair  Chivreil  ave 
grande  la  course.     Quand  1'heure  arriver,  compere  Che 
vreuil  avec 

45.  compair  Torti  tou  le  de  pare.   Jige  la  crie :  "  Go !  "  e  ye 


xl  INTRODUCTION 

compere  Tortue  tous  les  deux  prepares.     Juge  la  crier: 
"Go!  "  et  eux 

46.  parti  galope.     Tan  compair  Chivreil  rive  cote  primie 
partir  galopper.     Temps  compere  Chevreuil  arriver  cote 

premier 

47.  zalon,  li  hele:   "Halo,  compair  Torti!  "     "Mo  la,  compair 
jalon,  lui  heler:  "Halo,  compere  Tortue!  "     "Moi  la,  com 
pere 

48.  Chivreil!"     Tan  ye  rive  dezieme  zalon,  compair  Chivreil 
Chevreuil!"     Temps  eux  arriver  deuxieme  jalon,  compere 

Chevreuil 

49.  siffle:     "Fioute!"     Compair    Torti    reponne:     "Croak!" 

Troisieme 

siffler:   "Fioute!"     Compere  Tortue  repondre:    "Croak!" 
Troisieme 

50.  zalon  boute,  compair  Torti  tink-a-tink  ave  compair 

jalon  au  bout,  compere  Tortue  tingue-a-tingue  avec  compere 

51.  Chivreil.     "Diabe!     Torti  la  galope  pli  vite 
Chevreuil.     "Diable!     Tortue  la  galopper  plus  vite 

52.  pace  stimbotte;  fo  mo  grouye  mo  cor."     Tan  compair 
passe  steamboat;   faut  moi  grouiller  mon  corps."     Temps 

compere 

53.  Chivreil  rive  cote  nevieme  zalon,  li  oua  compair  Torti 
Chevreuil  arriver  cote  neuvieme  jalon,  lui  voir  compere 

Tortue 

54.  ape  patchiou  dan  dolo.     Li  mete  tou  so  laforce 

apres  patchiou!   dans  de  1'eau.    Lui   mettre  toute  sa  la 
force 

55.  dihior  pou  a'ien;  avan  li  rive  cote  bite,  li  tende 

dehors  pour  rien;  avant  lui  arriver  cote  but,  lui  entendre 

56.  tou  monne  ape  hele :  "Houra!  houra!  pou  compair  Torti!" 
tout  monde  apres  heler:   "Hourra!   hourra!   pour  compere 

Tortue!" 

57.  Tan  li  rive,  li  oua  compair  Torti  on  la  garlie  ape 


INTRODUCTION  xli 

Temps  lui  arriver,  lui  voir  compere  Tortue  en  la  galerie 
apres 

58.  brasse  Mamzel  Calinda.     Ca  fe  li  si  tan  mal,  li 
embrasser  Mile.  Calinda.     Cela  faire  lui  si  tant  mal,  lui 

59.  sape  dan  boi.     Compair  Torti  maie  ave  Mamzel  Calinda 
s'echapper  dans  bois.     Compere  Tortue  marier  avec  Mile. 

Calinda 

60.  samedi  ape  vini,  e  tou  monne  manze,  boi,  jika 

samedi  apres  venir,  et  tout  monde  manger,  boire  jusqu'a 

61.  y  tchiak.1 
eux  griser. 

It  only  remains  to  be  said  that  none  of  the  stories  given 
in  the  present  volume  are  "cooked."  They  are  given  in 
the  simple  but  picturesque  language  of  the  negroes,  just 
as  the  negroes  tell  them.  The  Ghost-story,  in  which  the 
dead  woman  returns  in  search  of  the  silver  that  had  been 
placed  upon  her  eyes,  is  undoubtedly  of  white  origin;  but 
Mr.  Samuel  L.  Clemens  (Mark  Twain)  heard  it  among 
the  negroes  of  Florida,  Missouri,  where  it  was  "The 
Woman  with  the  Golden  Arm."  Fortunately,  it  was 
placed  in  the  mouth  of  'Tildy,  the  house-girl,  who  must 
be  supposed  to  have  heard  her  mistress  tell  it.  But  it  has 
been  negroized  to  such  an  extent  that  it  may  be  classed 
as  a  negro  legend;  and  it  is  possible  that  the  white  ver 
sion  is  itself  based  upon  a  negro  story.  At  any  rate,  it  was 
told  to  the  writer  by  different  negroes;  and  he  saw  no 
reason  to  doubt  its  authenticity  until  after  a  large  portion 

1  Tchiak  is  the  name  given  by  the  Creole  negroes  to  the  starling-,  which, 
Dr.  Mercier  tells  me,  is  applied  adjectively  to  express  various  states  of 
spirituous  exhilaration.  —  Note  by  Prof.  Harrison. 


xlii  INTRODUCTION 

of  the  book  was  in  type.  His  relations  to  the  stories  are 
simply  those  of  editor  and  compiler.  He  has  written  them 
as  they  came  to  him,  and  he  is  responsible  only  for  the  set 
ting.  He  has  endeavored  to  project  them  upon  the  back 
ground  and  to  give  them  the  surroundings  which  they  had 
in  the  old  days  that  are  no  more;  and  it  has  been  his  pur 
pose  to  give  in  their  recital  a  glimpse  of  plantation  life  in 
the  South  before  the  war.  If  the  reader,  therefore,  will 
exercise  his  imagination  to  the  extent  of  believing  that 
the  stories  are  told  to  a  little  boy  by  a  group  of  negroes 
on  a  plantation  in  Middle  Georgia,  before  the  war,  he  will 
need  neither  foot-note  nor  explanation  to  guide  him. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  volume  the  writer  has  been 
placed  under  obligations  to  many  kind  friends.  But  for 
the  ready  sympathy  and  encouragement  of  the  proprietors 
of  "  The  Atlanta  Constitution "  —  but  for  their  gener 
osity,  it  may  be  said  —  the  writer  would  never  have  found 
opportunity  to  verify  the  stories  and  prepare  them  for  the 
press.  He  is  also  indebted  to  hundreds  of  kind  correspond 
ents  in  all  parts  of  the  Southern  States,  who  have  inter 
ested  themselves  in  the  work  of  collecting  the  legends. 
He  is  particularly  indebted  to  Mrs.  Helen  S.  Barclay,  of 
Darien,  to  Mr.  W.  O.  Tuggle,  to  Hon.  Charles  C.  Jones, 
Jr.,  to  the  accomplished  daughters  of  Mr.  Griswold,  of 
Clinton,  Georgia,  and  to  Mr.  John  Devereux,  Jr.,  and 
Miss  Devereux,  of  Raleigh,  North  Carolina. 

J.  C.  H. 

ATLANTA,  GEORGIA. 


NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 


NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 


MR.  FOX  AND  MISS  GOOSE 

IT  had  been  raining  all  day  so  that  Uncle  Remus  found 
it  impossible  to  go  out.  The  storm  had  begun,  the  old  man 
declared,  just  as  the  chickens  were  crowing  for  day,  and 
it  had  continued  almost  without  intermission.  The  dark 
gray  clouds  had  blotted  out  the  sun,  and  the  leafless  limbs 
of  the  tall  oaks  surrendered  themselves  drearily  to  the 
fantastic  gusts  that  drove  the  drizzle  fitfully  before  them. 
The  lady  to  whom  Uncle  Remus  belonged  had  been 
thoughtful  of  the  old  man,  and  'Tildy,  the  house-girl, 
had  been  commissioned  to  carry  him  his  meals.  This 
arrangement  came  to  the  knowledge  of  the  little  boy  at 
supper  time,  and  he  lost  no  time  in  obtaining  permission 
to  accompany  'Tildy. 

Uncle  Remus  made  a  great  demonstration  over  the 
thoughtful  kindness  of  his  "Miss  Sally." 

"Ef  she  aint  one  blessid  w'ite  'oman,"  he  said,  in  his 
simple,  fervent  way,  "  den  dey  aint  none  un  um  'roun'  in 
deze  parts." 

With  that  he  addressed  himself  to  the  supper,  while  the 
little  boy  sat  by  and  eyed  him  with  that  familiar  curiosity 


4  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

common  to  children.   Finally  the  youngster  disturbed  the 
old  man  with  an  inquiry: 

"Uncle  Remus,  do  geese  stand  on  one  leg  all  night,  or 
do  they  sit  down  to  sleep  ? " 

"Tooby  sho'  dey  does,  honey;  dey  sets  down  same  ez 
you  does.  Co'se,  dey  don't  cross  der  legs,"  he  added,  cau 
tiously,  "kase  dey  sets  down  right  flat-footed." 

"Well,  I  saw  one  the  other  day,  and  he  was  standing 
on  one  foot,  and  I  watched  him  and  watched  him,  and  he 
kept  on  standing  there." 

"Ez  ter  dat,"  responded  Uncle  Remus,  "dey  mought 
stan'  on  one  foot  an'  drap  off  ter  sleep  en  fergit  deyse'f. 
Deze  yer  gooses,"  he  continued,  wiping  the  crumbs  from 
his  beard  with  his  coat-tail,  "  is  mighty  kuse  fowls ;  deyer 
mighty  kuse.  In  ole  times  dey  wuz  'mongs  de  big-bugs, 
en  in  dem  days,  w'en  ole  Miss  Goose  gun  a-dinin',  all  de 
quality  wuz  dere.  Likewise,  en  needer  wuz  dey  stuck-up, 
kase  wid  all  der  kyar'n's  on,  Miss  Goose  wer'n't  too  proud 
fer  ter  take  in  washin'  fer  de  neighborhoods,  en  she  make 
money,  en  get  slick  en  fat  lak  Sis  Tempy. 

"Dis  de  way  marters  stan'  w'en  one  day  Brer  Fox  en 
Brer  Rabbit,  dey  wuz  settin'  up  at  de  cotton-patch,  one  on 
one  side  de  fence,  en  t'er  one  on  t'er  side,  gwine  on  wid 
one  er  n'er,  w'en  fus'  news  dey  know,  dey  year  sump'n  — 
blim,  blim,  blim! 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  ax  w'at  dat  fuss  is,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
up'n  'spon'  dat  it's  ole  Miss  Goose  down  at  de  spring. 
Den  Brer  Fox,  he  up'n  ax  w'at  she  doin',  en  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  say,  sezee,  dat  she  battlin'  cloze." 


MR.  FOX  AND  MISS  GOOSE  5 

"  Battling  clothes,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  saia  the  little  boy. 

"  Dat  w'at  dey  call  it  dem  days,  honey.  Deze  times,  dey 
rubs  cloze  on  deze  yer  bodes  w'at  got  furrers  in  um,  but 
dem  days  dey  des  tuck'n  tuck  de  cloze  en  lay  um  out  on  a 
bench,  en  ketch  holt  er  de  battlin'-stick  en  natally  paddle 
de  fillin'  outen  um. 

"Wen  Brer  Fox  year  dat  ole  Miss  Goose  wuz  down 
dar  dabblin'  in  soapsuds  en  washin'  cloze,  he  sorter  lick  he 
chops,  en  'low  dat  some  er  dese  odd-come-shorts  he  gwine 
ter  call  en  pay  he  'specks.  De  minnit  he  say  dat,  Brer  Rab 
bit,  he  know  sump'n'  'uz  up,  en  he  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he 
'speck  he  better  whirl  in  en  have  some  fun  w'iles  it  gwine  on. 
Bimeby  Brer  Fox  up'n  say  ter  Brer  Rabbit  dat  he  bleedzd 
ter  be  movin'  'long  todes  home,  en  wid  dat  dey  bofe  say 
good-bye. 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  put  out  ter  whar  his  fambly  wuz,  but  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  slip  'roun',  he  did,  en  call  on  ole  Miss  Goose. 
Ole  Miss  Goose  she  wuz  down  at  de  spring,  washin',  en 
b'ilin',  en  battlin'  cloze;  but  Brer  Rabbit  he  march  up  en 
ax  her  howdy,  en  den  she  tuck'n  ax  Brer  Rabbit  howdy. 

"'I'd  shake  han's  'long  wid  you,  Brer  Rabbit,'  sez  she, 
*  but  dey  er  all  full  er  suds,'  sez  she. 

"'No  marter  'bout  dat,  Miss  Goose/  sez  Brer  Rabbit, 
sezee,  'so  long  ez  yo'  will's  good,'  sezee." 

"A  goose  with  hands,  Uncle  Remus!"  the  little  boy 
exclaimed. 

"  How  you  know  goose  aint  got  han's  ? "  Uncle  Remus 
inquired,  with  a  frown.  "  Is  you  been  sleepin'  longer  ole 
man  Know- All  ?  Little  mo'  en  you  '11  up'n  stan'  me  down 


6  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

dat  snakes  aint  got  no  foots,  and  yit  you  take  en  lay  a  snake 
down  yer  'fo'  de  fier,  en  his  foots  '11  come  out  right  'fo'  yo' 
eyes." 

Uncle  Remus  paused  here,  but  presently  continued : 

"Atter  ole  Miss  Goose  en  Brer  Rabbit  done  pass  de 
time  er  day  wid  one  er  n'er,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  ax  'er,  he  did, 
how  she  come  on  deze  days,  en  Miss  Goose  say,  mighty 
po'ly. 

"'I'm  gittin'  stiff  en  I'm  gittin'  clumpsy,'  sez  she,  *en 
mo'n  dat  I  'm  gittin'  bline,'  sez  she.  '  Des  'fo'  you  happen 
'long,  Brer  Rabbit,  I  drap  my  specks  in  de  tub  yer,  en  ef 
you'd  'a'  come  'long  'bout  dat  time,'  sez  ole  Miss  Goose, 
sez  she,  £I  lay  I'd  er  tuck  you  for  dat  nasty,  owdashus 
Brer  Fox,  en  it  ud  er  bin  a  born  blessin'  ef  I  had  n't  er 
scald  you  wid  er  pan  er  b'ilin'  suds,'  sez  she.  *  I  'm  dat 
glad  I  foun'  my  specks  I  dunner  w'at  ter  do,'  sez  ole  Miss 
Goose,  sez  she. 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  say  dat  bein's  how  Sis  Goose 
done  fotch  up  Brer  Fox  name,  he  got  sump'n'  fer  ter  tell 
'er,  en  den  he  let  out  'bout  Brer  Fox  gwine  ter  call  on  'er. 

;<<He  comin','  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee;  'he  comin'  sho', 
en  w'en  he  come  hit  '11  be  des  'fo'  day,'  sezee. 

"Wid  dat,  ole  Miss  Goose  wipe  'er  han's  on  'er  apun, 
en  put  'er  specks  up  on  'er  forrerd,  en  look  lak  she  done 
got  trouble  in  'er  mine. 

Laws-a-massy ! '  sez  she,  'spozen  he  come,  Brer 
Rabbit !  W'at  I  gwine  do  ?  En  dey  aint  a  man  'bout  de 
house,  n'er,'  sez  she. 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  shot  one  eye,  en  he  say,  sezee : 


MR.  FOX  AND  MISS  GOOSE  7 

"Sis  Goose,  de  time  done  come  w'en  you  bleedzd  ter 
roos'  high.  You  look  lak  you  got  de  dropsy,'  sezee,  'but 
don't  mine  dat,  kase  ef  you  don't  roos'  high,  youer  goner,' 
sezee. 

"  Den  ole  Miss  Goose  ax  Brer  Rabbit  w'at  she  gwine 
do,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  up  en  tell  Miss  Goose  dat  she  mus' 
go  home  en  tie  up  a  bundle  er  de  w'ite  folks'  cloze,  en  put 
um  on  de  bed,  en  den  she  mus'  fly  up  on  a  rafter,  en  let 
Brer  Fox  grab  de  cloze  en  run  off  wid  um. 

"  Ole  Miss  Goose  say  she  much  'blige,  en  she  tuck'n 
tuck  her  things  en  waddle  off  home,  en  dat  night  she  do 
lak  Brer  Rabbit  say  wid  de  bundle  er  cloze,  en  den  she 
sont  wud  ter  Mr.  Dog,  en  Mr.  Dog  he  come  down,  en  say 
he  'd  sorter  set  up  wid  'er. 

"Des  'fo'  day,  yer  come  Brer  Fox  creepin'  up,  en  he 
went  en  push  on  de  do'  easy,  en  de  do'  open,  en  he  see 
sump'n'  w'ite  on  de  bed  w'ich  he  took  fer  Miss  Goose,  en 
he  grab  it  en  run.  'Bout  dat  time  Mr.  Dog  sail  out  fum 
und'  de  house,  he  did,  en  ef  Brer  Fox  had  n't  er  drapt 
de  cloze,  he'd  er  got  kotch.  Fum  dat,  wud  went  'roun' 
dat  Brer  Fox  bin  tryin'  ter  steal  Miss  Goose  cloze,  en  he 
come  mighty  nigh  losin'  his  stannin'  at  Miss  Meadows. 
Down  ter  dis  day,"  Uncle  Remus  continued,  preparing 
to  fill  his  pipe,  "  Brer  Fox  b'leeve  dat  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  de 
'casion  er  Mr.  Dog  bein'  in  de  neighborhoods  at  dat  time 
er  night,  en  Brer  Rabbit  aint  'spute  it.  De  bad  f  eelin'  'twix' 
Brer  Fox  en  Mr.  Dog  start  right  dar,  en  hits  bin  agwine 
on  twel  now  dey  aint  git  in  smellin'  distuns  er  one  er  n'er 
widout  dey 's  a  row." 


8  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

II 
BROTHER  FOX  CATCHES  MR.  HORSE 

THERE  was  a  pause  after  the  story  of  old  Miss  Goose. 
The  culmination  was  hardly  sensational  enough  to  win  the 
hearty  applause  of  the  little  boy,  and  this  fact  appeared  to 
have  a  depressing  influence  upon  Uncle  Remus.  As  he 
leaned  slightly  forward,  gazing  into  the  depths  of  the  great 
fireplace,  his  attitude  was  one  of  pensiveness. 

"I  'speck  I  done  wo'  out  my  welcome  up  at  de  big 
house,"  he  said,  after  a  while.  "I  mos'  knows  I  is,"  he 
continued,  setting  himself  resignedly  in  his  deep-bottomed 
chair.  "Kase  de  las'  time  I  uz  up  dar,  I  had  my  eye  on 
Miss  Sally  mighty  nigh  de  whole  blessid  time,  en  w'en 
you  see  Miss  Sally  rustlin'  'roun'  makin'  lak  she  fixin' 
things  up  dar  on  de  mantle-shelf,  en  bouncin'  de  cheers 
?roun',  en  breshin'  dus'  whar  dey  aint  no  dus',  en  flyin' 
'roun'  singin'  sorter  louder  dan  common,  den  I  des  knows 
sump'n'  done  gone  en  rile  'er." 

"  Why,  Uncle  Remus  !  "  exclaimed  the  little  boy  ; 
"  Mamma  was  just  glad  because  I  was  feeling  so  good." 

"  Mought  er  bin,"  the  old  man  remarked,  in  a  tone  that 
was  far  from  implying  conviction.  "Ef  'twa'n't  dat,  den 
she  wuz  gittin'  tired  er  seein'  me  lounjun'  'roun'  up  dar 
night  atter  night,  en  ef  't  wa'n't  dat,  den  she  wuz  watchin' 
a  chance  fer  ter  preach  ter  yo'  pa.  Oh,  I  done  bin  know 
Miss  Sally  long  fo'  yo'  pa  is!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus, 
in  response  to  the  astonishment  depicted  upon  the  child's 


BROTHER  FOX  CATCHES  MR.  HORSE       9 

face.  "I  bin  knowin'  'er  sence  she  wuz  so  high,  en  en- 
durin'  er  all  dat  time  I  aint  seed  no  mo'  up'n  spoken  w'ite 
'oman  dan  w'at  Miss  Sally  is. 

"But  dat  aint  needer  yer  ner  dar.  You  done  got  so 
youk'n  rush  down  yer  des  like  you  useter,  en  we  kin 
set  yer  en  smoke,  en  tell  tales,  en  study  up  'musements 
same  like  we  wuz  gwine  on  'fo'  you  got  dat  splinter  in 
yo'  foot. 

"  I  mines  me  er  one  time  "    —  with  an  infectious  laugh 

"  w'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  got  Brer  Fox  in  de  wuss  trubble 
w'at  a  man  WTUZ  mos'  ever  got  in  yit,  en  dat  'uz  w'en  he 
fool  'im  'bout  de  hoss.  Aint  I  never  tell  you  'bout  dat  ? 
But  no  marter  ef  I  is.  Hoe-cake  aint  cook  done  good  twel 
hit 's  turnt  over  a  couple  er  times. 

"Well,  atter  Brer  Fox  done  git  rested  fum  keepin'  out 
er  de  way  er  Mr.  Dog,  en  sorter  ketch  up  wid  his  rations, 
he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  be  dog  his  cats  ef  he  don't  slorate 
ole  Brer  Rabbit  ef  it  take  'im  a  mont' ;  en  dat,  too,  on  top  er 
all  de  'spe'unce  w'at  he  done  bin  had  wid  um.  Brer  Rabbit 
he  sorter  git  win'  er  dis,  en  one  day,  w'iles  he  gwine  'long 
de  road  studyin'  how  he  gwineter  hoi'  he  hand  wid  Brer 
Fox,  he  see  a  great  big  Hoss  layin'  stretch  out  flat  on  he 
side  in  de  pastur';  en  he  tuck'n  crope  up,  he  did,  fer  ter 
see  ef  dish  yer  Hoss  done  gone  en  die.  He  crope  up  en  he 
crope  'roun',  en  bimeby  he  see  de  Hoss  switch  he  tail,  en 
den  Brer  Rabbit  know  he  aint  dead.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit 
lope  back  ter  de  big  road,  en  mos'  de  fus'  man  w'at  he  see 
gwine  on  by  wuz  Brer  Fox,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  tuck  atter 
'im,  en  holler: 


10  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'  Brer  Fox!  O  Brer  Fox!  Comeback!  I  got  some  good 
news  fer  you.  Come  back,  Brer  Fox,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  tu'n  'roun',  he  did,  en  w'en  he  see  who 
callin'  'im,  he  come  gallopin'  back,  kaze  it  seem  like  dat 
des  ez  gooder  time  ez  any  fer  ter  nab  Brer  Rabbit;  but  'fo' 
he  git  in  nabbin'  distance,  Brer  Rabbit  he  up'n  say,  sezee : 

"  *  Come  on,  Brer  Fox !  I  done  fine  de  place  whar  you 
kin  lay  in  fresh  meat  'nuff  fer  ter  las'  you  plum  twel  de 
middle  er  nex'  year,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  ax  wharbouts,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  say, 
right  over  dar  in  de  pastur',  en  Brer  Fox  ax  w'at  is  it,  en 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  say  w'ich  'twuz  a  whole  Hoss  layin'  down 
on  de  groun'  whar  dey  kin  ketch  'im  en  tie  'im.  Wid  dat, 
Brer  Fox,  he  say  come  on,  en  off  dey  put. 

"  W'en  dey  got  dar,  sho'  nuff,  dar  lay  de  Hoss  all  stretch 
out  in  de  sun,  fas'  'sleep,  en  den  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Rabbit, 
dey  had  a  'spute  'bout  how  dey  gwine  ter  fix  de  Hoss  so  he 
can't  git  loose.  One  say  one  way  en  de  yuther  say  n'er 
way,  en  dar  dey  had  it,  twel  atter  w'ile  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
say,  sezee: 

"De  onliest  plan  w'at  I  knows  un,  Brer  Fox,'  sezee, 
'is  fer  you  ter  git  down  dar  en  lemme  tie  you  ter  de  Hoss 
tail,  en  den,  w'en  he  try  ter  git  up,  you  kin  hoi'  'im  down,' 
sezee.  'Ef  I  wuz  big  man  like  w'at  you  is,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit, 
sezee,  'you  mought  tie  me  ter  dat  Hoss'  tail,  en  ef  I  aint 
hoi'  'im  down,  den  Joe's  dead  en  Sal's  a  widder.  I  des 
knows  you  kin  hoi'  'im  down,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  but 
yit,  ef  you  'feared,  we  des  better  drap  dat  idee  en  study 
out  some  yuther  plan,'  sezee. 


BROTHER  FOX  CATCHES  MR.  HORSE    11 

"Brer  Fox  sorter  jubus  'bout  dis,  but  he  bleedzd  ter 
play  biggity  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit,  en  he  tuck'n  'gree  ter  de  pro- 
grance,  en  den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  tie  Brer  Fox  ter  de 
Hoss'  tail,  en  atter  he  git  'im  tie  dar  hard  en  fas',  he  sorter 
step  back,  he  did,  en  put  he  han's  'kimbo,  en  grin,  en  den 
he  say,  sezee: 

" '  Ef  ever  dey  wuz  a  Hoss  kotch,  den  we  done  kotch  dis 
un.  Look  sorter  lak  we  done  put  de  bridle  on  de  wrong 
een','  sezee,  *  but  I  lay  Brer  Fox  is  got  de  strenk  fer  ter 
hoi'  'im,'  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  cut  'im  a  long  switch  en  trim  it 
up,  en  w'en  he  get  it  fix,  up  he  step  en  hit  de  Hoss  a  rap 
—  pow!  De  Hoss  'uz  dat  s'prise  at  dat  kinder  doin's  dat 
he  make  one  jump,  en  Ian'  on  he  foots.  W'en  he  do  dat, 
dar  wuz  Brer  Fox  danglin'  in  de  a'r,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
dart  out  de  way  en  holler: 

"'Hoi'  'im  down,  Brer  Fox!  Hoi'  'im  down!  I'll  stan' 
out  yer  en  see  fa'r  play.  Hoi'  'im  down,  Brer  Fox!  Hoi' 
'im  down!' 

"  Co'se,  w'en  de  Hoss  feel  Brer  Fox  hangin'  dar  onter 
he  tail,  he  thunk  sump'n'  kuse  wuz  de  marter,  en  dis 
make  'im  jump  en  r'ar  wusser  en  wusser,  en  he  shake 
up  Brer  Fox  same  like  he  wuz  a  rag  in  de  win',  en  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  jump  en  holler: 

"'Hoi'  'im  down,  Brer  Fox!  Hoi'  'im  down!  You  got 
'im  now,  sho' !  Hoi'  yo'  grip,  en  hoi'  'im  down,'  sezee. 

"De  Hoss,  he  jump  en  he  hump,  en  he  rip  en  he  r'ar, 
en  he  snort  eri  he  t'ar.  But  yit  Brer  Fox  hang  on,  en  still 
Brer  Rabbit  skip  'roun'  en  holler: 


12  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'Hoi'  'im  down,  Brer  Fox!  You  got  'im  whar  he  can't 
needer  back  ner  squall.  Hoi'  'im  down,  Brer  Fox ! '  sezee. 

"  Bimeby,  w'en  Brer  Fox  git  chance,  he  holler  back,  he 
did: 

"'How  in  de  name  er  goodness  I  gwine  ter  hoi'  de  Hoss 
down  'less  I  git  my  claw  in  de  groun'  ? ' 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  stan'  back  little  furder  en  holler 
little  louder : 

"'Hoi'  'im  down,  Brer  Fox!  Hoi'  'im  down!  You  got 
'im  now,  sho' !  Hoi'  'im  down ! ' 

"  Bimeby  de  Hoss  'gun  ter  kick  wid  he  behime  legs,  en 
de  fus'  news  you  know,  he  fetch  Brer  Fox  a  lick  in  de  stom 
ach  dat  fa'rly  make  'im  squall,  en  den  he  kick  'im  ag'in, 
en  dis  time  he  break  Brer  Fox  loose,  en  sont  'im  a-whirlin'; 
en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  keep  on  a-jumpin'  'roun'  en  hollerin': 

" '  Hoi'  'im  down,  Brer  Fox ! ' " 

"  Did  the  fox  get  killed,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"He  wa'n't  'zackly  kilt,  honey,"  replied  the  old  man, 
"  but  he  wuz  de  nex'  do'  ter 't.  He  'uz  all  broke  up,  en  w'iles 
he  'uz  gittin'  well,  hit  sorter  come  'cross  he  min'  dat  Brer 
Rabbit  done  play  n'er  game  on  ?im." 

Ill 
BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  LITTLE  GIRL 

"  WHAT  did  Brother  Rabbit  do  after  that  ? "   the  little  boy 
asked  presently. 

"  Now,  den,  you  don't  wanter  push  ole  Brer  Rabbit  too 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  LITTLE  GIRL     13 

close,"  replied  Uncle  Remus  significant^.  "He  mighty 
tender-footed  creetur,  en  de  mo'  w'at  you  push  'im,  de 
furaer  he  lef  you." 

There  was  prolonged  silence  in  the  old  man's  cabin, 
until,  seeing  that  the  little  boy  was  growing  restless  enough 
to  cast  several  curious  glances  in  the  direction  of  the  tool- 
chest  in  the  corner,  Uncle  Remus  lifted  one  leg  over  the 
other,  scratched  his  head  reflectively,  and  began: 

"  One  time,  atter  Brer  Rabbit  done  bin  trompin'  'roun' 
huntin'  up  some  sallid  fer  ter  make  out  he  dinner  wid,  he 
fine  hisse'f  in  de  neighborhoods  er  Mr.  Man  house,  en  he 
pass  'long  twel  he  come  ter  de  gyardin-gate,  en  nigh  de 
gyardin-gate  he  see  Little  Gal  playin'  'roun'  in  de  san'. 
Wen  Brer  Rabbit  look  'twix'  de  gyardin-palin's  en  see  de 
colluds,  en  de  sparrer-grass,  en  de  yuther  gyardin  truck 
growin'  dar,  hit  make  he  mouf  water.  Den  he  take  en  walk 
up  ter  de  Little  Gal,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  pull  he  roach,1 
en  bow,  en  scrape  he  foot,  en  talk  mighty  nice  en  slick. 

"'Howdy,  Little  Gal,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee  ;  'how 
you  come  on  ? '  sezee. 

"Den  de  Little  Gal,  she  'spon'  howdy,  she  did,  en  she 
ax  Brer  Rabbit  how  he  come  on,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low 
he  mighty  po'ly,  en  den  he  ax  ef  dis  de  Little  Gal  w'at  'er 
pa  live  up  dar  in  de  big  w'ite  house,  w'ich  de  Little  Gal,  she 
up'n  say  'twer'.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  say  he  mighty  glad,  kaze 
he  des  bin  up  dar  fer  to  see  'er  pa,  en  he  say  dat  'er  pa,  he 
sont  'im  out  dar  fer  ter  tell  de  Little  Gal  dat  she  mus' 
open  de  gyardin-gate  so  Brer  Rabbit  kin  go  in  en  git  some 

1  Topknot,  foretop. 


14  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

truck.  Den  de  Little  Gal,  she  jump  'roun',  she  did,  en  she 
open  de  gate,  en  wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  hop  in,  he  did, 
en  got  'im  a  mess  er  greens,  en  hop  out  ag'in,  en  w'en  he 
gwine  off  he  make  a  bow,  he  did,  en  tell  de  Little  Gal  dat 
he  much  'blije',  en  den  atter  dat  he  put  out  fer  home. 

"Nex'  day,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  hide  out,  he  did,  twel  he 
see  de  Little  Gal  come  out  ter  play,  en  den  he  put  up  de 
same  tale,  en  walk  off  wid  a  n'er  mess  er  truck,  en  hit 
keep  on  dis  a-way,  twel  bimeby  Mr.  Man,  he'  gun  ter  miss 
his  greens,  en  he  keep  on  a-missin'  un  um,  twel  he  got 
ter  excusin'  eve'ybody  on  de  place  er  'stroyin'  un  um,  en 
w'en  dat  come  ter  pass,  de  Little  Gal,  she  up'n  say : 

" '  My  goodness,  pa ! '  sez  she, '  you  done  tole  Mr.  Rabbit 
fer  ter  come  and  make  me  let  'im  in  de  gyardin  atter  some 
greens,  en  aint  he  done  come  en  ax  me,  en  aint  I  done  gone 
en  let  'im  in  ? '  sez  she. 

"  Mr.  Man  aint  hatter  study  long  'fo'  he  see  how  de  Ian' 
lay,  en  den  he  laff,  en  tell  de  Little  Gal  dat  he  done  gone 
en  disremember  all  'bout  Mr.  Rabbit,  en  den  he  up'n  say, 
sezee : 

"'Nex'  time  Mr.  Rabbit  come,  you  tak'n  tu'n  'im  in,  en 
den  you  run  des  ez  fas'  ez  you  kin  en  come  en  tell  me, 
kase  I  got  some  bizness  wid  dat  young  chap  dat 's  bleedze 
ter  be  'ten'  ter,'  sezee. 

"  Sho'  nuff ,  nex'  mawnin'  dar  wuz  de  Little  Gal  playin' 
'roun',  en  yer  come  Brer  Rabbit  atter  he  'lowance  er  greens. 
He  wuz  ready  wid  de  same  tale,  en  den  de  Little  Gal, 
she  tu'n  'im  in,  she  did,  en  den  she  run  up  ter  de  house 
en  holler : 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  LITTLE  GIRL     15 

"'O  pa!  pa!  O  pa!  Yer  Brer  RabHt  in  de  gyardin 
now !  Yer  he  is,  pa ! ' 

"  Den  Mr.  Man,  he  rush  out,  en  grab  up  a  fishin'-line 
w'at  bin  hangin'  in  de  back  po'ch,  en  mak  fer  de  gyardin, 
en  w'en  he  git  dar,  dar  wuz  Brer  Rabbit  tromplin'  'roun' 
on  de  strawbe'y-bed  en  mashin'  down  de  termartusses. 
W'en  Brer  Rabbit  see  Mr.  Man,  he  squot  behime  a  collud 
leaf,  but 't  wa'n't  no  use.  Mr.  Man  done  seed  him,  en  To* 
you  kin  count  'lev'm,  he  done  got  ole  Brer  Rabbit  tie  hard 
en  fas'  wid  de  fishin'-line.  Atter  he  got  him  tie  good,  Mr. 
Man  step  back,  he  did,  en  say,  sezee : 

'  You  done  bin  fool  me  lots  er  time,  but  dis  time  you  er 
mine.  I'm  gwine  ter  take  you  en  gin  you  a  larrupin'/ 
sezee,  '  en  den  I  'm  gwine  ter  skin  you  en  nail  yo'  hide  on 
de  stable  do','  sezee;  en  den  ter  make  sho  dat  you  git  de 
right  kinder  larrupin',  I  '11  des  step  up  ter  de  house,'  sezee, 
*  en  fetch  de  little  red  cowhide,  en  den  I  '11  take  en  gin  you 
brinjer,'  sezee. 

"Den  Mr.  Man  call  to  der  Little  Gal  ter  watch  Brer 
Rabbit  w'iles  he  gone. 

"Brer  Rabbit  aint  sayin'  nothin',  but  Mr.  Man  aint 
mo'n  out  de  gate  'fo'  he  'gun  ter  sing;  en  in  dem  days  Brer 
Rabbit  wuz  a  singer,  mon,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  with 
unusual  emphasis,  "  en  w'en  he  chuned  up  fer  ter  sing  he 
make  dem  yuther  creeturs  hoi'  der  bref." 

"  What  did  he  sing,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"Ef  I  aint  fergit  dat  song  off'n  my  min',"  said  Uncle 
Remus,  looking  over  his  spectacles  at  the  fire,  with  a 


16  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

curious  air  of  attempting  to  remember  something,  "hit 
run  sorter  dish  yer  way : 

"'De  jay-bird  hunt  de  sparrer-nes' , 
De  bee-martin  sail  all  'roun'; 
De  squer'l,  he  holler  from  de  top  er  de  tree, 
Mr.  Mole,  he  stay  in  de  groun'; 
He  hide  en  he  stay  twel  de  dark  drap  down  — 
Mr.  Mole,  he  hide  in  de  groun'.' 

"  Wen  de  Little  Gal  year  dat,  she  laugh,  she  did,  and  she 
up'n  ax  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  sing  some  mo',  but  Brer  Rab 
bit,  he  sorter  cough,  he  did,  en  'low  dat  he  got  a  mighty  bad 
ho'seness  down  inter  he  win'pipe  some'rs.  De  Little  Gal, 
she  swade,1  en  swade,  en  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  'low 
dat  he  kin  dance  mo'  samer  dan  w'at  he  kin  sing.  Den  de 
Little  Gal,  she  ax  'im  won't  he  dance,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
'spon'  how  in  de  name  er  goodness  kin  a  man  dance  w'iles 
he  all  tie  up  dis  a- way,  en  den  de  Little  Gal,  she  say  she  kin 
ontie  'im,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  say  he  aint  keerin'  ef  she  do. 
Wid  dat  de  Little  Gal,  she  retch  down  en  onloose  de  fish- 
line,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  stretch  hisse'f  en  look 
'roun'." 

Here  Uncle  Remus  paused  and  sighed,  as  though  he  had 
relieved  his  mind  of  a  great  burden.  The  little  boy  waited 
a  few  minutes  for  the  old  man  to  resume,  and  finally  he 
asked : 

"  Did  the  Rabbit  dance,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 

"  Who  ?  Him  ?  "  exclaimed  the  old  man,  with  a  queer 
affectation  of  elation.  "  Bless  yo'  soul,  honey !  Brer  Rabbit 

1  Persuaded. 


HOW  BROTHER  FOX  WAS  TOO  SMART  17 

gedder  up  his  foots  und'  'im,  en  he  dance  cuter  dat  gyardin, 
en  he  dance  home.  He  did  dat !  Sho'ly  you  don't  'speck  | 
dat  a  ole-timer  w'at  done  had  'spe'unce  like  Brer  Rabbit 
gwine  ter  stay  dar  en  let  dat  ar  Mr.  Man  sackyfice  'im  ? 
SJwo !  Brer  Rabbit  dance,  but  he  dance  home.  You  year 
me!" 

IV 
HOW  BROTHER  FOX  WAS  TOO  SMART 

UNCLE  REMUS  chuckled  a  moment  over  the  escape  of  Bro 
ther  Rabbit,  and  then  turned  his  gaze  upward  toward  the 
cobwebbed  gloom  that  seemed  to  lie  just  beyond  the 
rafters.  He  sat  thus  silent  and  serious  a  little  while,  but 
finally  squared  himself  around  in  his  chair  and  looked  the 
little  boy  full  in  the  face.  The  old  man's  countenance 
expressed  a  curious  mixture  of  sorrow  and  bewilderment. 
Catching  the  child  by  the  coat-sleeve,  Uncle  Remus  pulled 
him  gently  to  attract  his  attention. 

"  Hit  look  like  ter  me,"  he  said  presently,  in  the  tone 
of  one  approaching  an  unpleasant  subject,  "  dat  no  longer'n 
yistiddy  I  see  one  er  dem  ar  Favers  chillun  clim'in'  dat  ar 
big  red-oak  out  yan',  en  den  it  seem  like  dat  a  little  chap 
'bout  yo'  size,  he  tuck'n  start  up  ter  see  ef  he  can't  play 
smarty  like  de  Favers's  yearlin's.  I  dunner  w'at  in  de  name 
er  goodness  you  wanter  be  a-copyin'  atter  dem  ar  Faverses 
fer.  Ef  you  er  gwine  ter  copy  atter  yuther  folks,  copy  atter 
dem  w'at's  some  'count.  Yo'  pa,  he  got  de  idee  dat  some 
folks  is  good  ez  yuther  folks  ;  but  Miss  Sally,  she  know 


18  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

better.  She  know  dat  dey  aint  no  Pavers  'pon  de  top  side 
er  de  yeth  w'at  kin  hoi'  der  han'  wid  de  Abercrombies  in 
p'int  er  breedin'  en  raisin'.  Dat  w'at  Miss  Sally  know.  I 
bin  keepin'  track  er  dem  Faverses  sence  way  back  yan' 
long  'fo'  Miss  Sally  wuz  born'd.  Ole  Cajy  Favers,  he 
went  ter  de  po'house,  en  ez  ter  dat  Jim  Favers,  I  boun* 
you  he  know  de  inside  er  all  de  jails  in  dish  yer  State  er 
Jawjy.  Dey  allers  did  hate  niggers  kase  dey  aint  had  none, 
en  dey  hates  um  down  ter  dis  day. 

"Year  'fo' las',"  Uncle  Remus  continued,  "I  year  yo 
Unk'  Jeems  Abercrombie  tell  dat  same  Jim  Favers  dat  ef 
he  lay  de  weight  er  he  han'  on  one  er  his  niggers,  he  'd  slap 
a  load  er  buck  shot  in  'im;  en,  bless  yo'  soul,  honey,  yo' 
Unk'  Jeems  wuz  des  de  man  ter  do  it.  But  dey  er  monst'us 
perlite  unter  me,  dem  Faverses  is,"  pursued  the  old  man, 
allowing  his  indignation,  which  had  risen  to  a  white  heat, 
to  cool  off,  "en  dey  better  be,"  he  added  spitefully,  "kase 
I  knows  der  pedigree  fum  de  fus'  ter  de  las',  en  w'en  I  gits 
my  Affikin  up,  dey  aint  nobody,  'less  it 's  Miss  Sally  'erse'f, 
w'at  kin  keep  me  down. 

"But  dat  aint  needer  yer  ner  dar,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
renewing  his  attack  upon  the  little  boy.  "  W'at  you  wanter 
go  copyin'  atter  dem  Favers  chillun  fer?  Youer  settin' 
back  dar,  right  dis  minnit,  bettin'  longer  yo'se'f  dat  I  aint 
gwine  ter  tell  Miss  Sally,  en  dar  whar  youer  lettiri5  yo' 
foot  slip,  kaze  I'm  gwine  ter  let  it  pass  dis  time,  but  de 
ve'y  nex'  time  w'at  I  ketches  you  in  hollerin'  distuns  er 
dem  Faverses,  right  den  en  dar  I'm  gwine  ter  take  my 
foot  in  my  han'  en  go  en  tell  Miss  Sally,  en  ef  she  don't 


HOW  BROTHER  FOX  WAS  TOO  SMART  19 

natally  skin  you  'live,  den  she  aint  de  same  'oman  w'at 
she  useter  be. 

"  All  dish  yer  copyin'  atter  deze  yer  Faverses  put  me  in 
min'  er  de  time  w'en  Brer  Fox  got  ter  copyin'  atter  Brer 
Rabbit.  I  done  tole  you  'bout  de  time  w'en  Brer  Rabbit 
git  de  game  fum  Brer  Fox  by  makin'  like  he  dead  ? "  l 

The  little  boy  remembered  it  very  distinctly,  and  said 
as  much. 

"Well,  den,  ole  Brer  Fox,  w'en  he  see  how  slick  de 
trick  wuk  wid  Brer  Rabbit,  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  b'leeve 
he  '11  up'n  try  de  same  kinder  game  on  some  yuther  man, 
en  he  keep  on  watchin'  fer  he  chance,  twel  bimeby,  one 
day,  he  year  Mr.  Man  comin'  down  de  big  road  in  a  one- 
hoss  waggin,  kyar'n  some  chickens,  en  some  eggs,  en  some 
butter,  ter  town.  Brer  Fox  year  'im  comin',  he  did,  en  w'at 
do  he  do  but  go  en  lay  down  in  de  road  front  er  de  waggin. 
Mr.  Man,  he  druv  'long,  he  did,  cluckin'  ter  de  hoss  en 
hummin'  ter  hisse'f,  en  w'en  dey  git  mos'  up  ter  Brer 
Fox,  de  hoss,  he  shy,  he  did,  en  Mr.  Man,  he  tuck'n  holler 
Wo !  en  de  hoss,  he  tuck'n  wo'd.  Den  Mr.  Man,  he  look 
down,  en  he  see  Brer  Fox  layin'  out  dar  on  de  groun'  des 
like  he  cole  en  stiff,  en  w'en  Mr.  Man  see  dis,  he  holler 
out: 

"  *  Heyo !  Dar  de  chap  w'at  been  nabbin'  up  my  chickens, 
en  somebody  done  gone  en  shot  off  a  gun  at  'im,  w'ich 
I  wish  she  'd  er  bin  two  guns  —  dat  I  does ! ' 

"  Wid  dat,  Mr.  Man,  he  druv  on  en  lef '  Brer  Fox  layin' 

1  Uncle  Remus :  His  Songs  and  His  Sayings.  New  York  :  D.  Appleton 
&  Co.  Page  70. 


20  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

dar.  Den  Brer  Fox,  he  git  up  en  run  'roun'  thoo  de  woods 
en  lay  down  front  er  Mr.  Man  ag'in,  en  Mr.  Man  come 
drivin'  'long,  en  he  see  Brer  Fox,  en  he  say,  sezee : 

"'Heyo!  Yer  de  ve'y  chap  what  been  'stroyin'  my  pigs. 
Somebody  done  gone  en  kilt  'im,  en  I  wish  dey'd  er  kilt 
'im  long  time  ago.' 

"Den  Mr.  Man,  he  druv  on,  en  de  waggin-w'eel  come 
mighty  nigh  mashin'  Brer  Fox  nose  ;  yit,  all  de  same, 
Brer  Fox  lipt  up  en  run  'roun'  'head  er  Mr.  Man,  en  lay 
down  in  de  road,  en  w'en  Mr.  Man  come  'long,  dar  he  wuz 
all  stretch  out  like  he  big  'nuff  fer  ter  fill  a  two-bushel  bas- 
kit,  en  he  look  like  he  dead  'nuff  fer  ter  be  skint.  Mr.  Man 
druv  up,  he  did,  en  stop.  He  look  down  pun  Brer  Fox,  en 
den  he  look  all  'roun'  fer  ter  see  w'at  de  'casion  er  all  deze 
yer  dead  Fox  is.  Mr.  Man  look  all  'roun',  he  did,  but  he 
aint  see  nothin',  en  needer  do  he  year  nothin'.  Den  he  set 
dar  en  study,  en  bimeby  he  'low  ter  hisse'f,  he  did,  dat  he 
had  better  'zamin'  w'at  kinder  kuse  zeeze 1  done  bin  got 
inter  Brer  Fox  fambly,  en  wid  dat  he  lit  down  outer  de 
waggin,  en  feel  er  Brer  Fox  year;  Brer  Fox  year  feel  right 
worn.  Den  he  feel  Brer  Fox  neck;  Brer  Fox  neck  right 
worn.  Den  he  feel  er  Brer  Fox  in  de  short  ribs ;  Brer  Fox 
all  soun'  in  de  short  ribs.  Den  he  feel  er  Brer  Fox  lim's; 
Brer  Fox  all  soun'  in  de  lim's.  Den  he  tu'n  Brer  Fox 
over,  en,  lo  en  beholes,  Brer  Fox  right  limber.  W'en  Mr. 
Man  see  dis,  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  sezee: 

Heyo,  yer !  how  come  dis  ?    Dish  yer  chicken-nabber 
look  lak  he  dead,  but  dey  aint  no  bones  broked,  en  I  aint 
1  Disease. 


BROTHER  RABBIT'S  ASTONISHING  PRANK    21 

see  no  blood,  en  needer  does  I  feel  no  bruise;  en  mo'n  dat 
he  worn  en  he  limber,'  sezee.  *  Sump'n'  wrong  yer,  sho' ! 
Dish  yer  pig-grabber  mought  be  dead,  en  den  ag'in  he 
moughtent,'  sezee;  '  but  ter  make  sho'  dat  he  is,  I  '11  des  gin 
'irn  a  whack  wid  my  w'ip-han'le,'  sezee;  en  wid  dat,  Mr. 
Man  draw  back  en  fotch  Brer  Fox  a  clip  behime  de  years 
—  pow!  —  en  de  lick  come  so  hard  en  it  come  so  quick  dat 
Brer  Fox  thunk  sho'  he's  a  goner;  but  'fo'  Mr.  Man  kin 
draw  back  fer  ter  fetch  'im  a  n'er  wipe,  Brer  Fox,  he  scram 
ble  ter  his  feet,  he  did,  en  des  make  tracks  'way  fum 
dar." 

Uncle  Remus  paused  and  shook  the  cold  ashes  from  his 
pipe,  and  then  applied  the  moral : 

"  Dat  w'at  Brer  Fox  git  fer  playin'  Mr.  Smarty  en  copyin' 
atter  yuther  folks,  en  dat  des  de  way  de  whole  Smarty 
fambly  gwine  ter  come  out." 


BROTHER  RABBIT'S  ASTONISHING  PRANK 

"I  'SPECK  dat  'uz  de  reas'n  w'at  make  ole  Brer  Rabbit 
git  'long  so  well,  kaze  he  aint  copy  atter  none  er  de  yuther 
creeturs,"  Uncle  Remus  continued,  after  a  while.  "Wen 
he  make  his  disappearance  'fo'  um,  hit  'uz  allers  in  some 
bran  new  place.  Dey  aint  know  wharbouts  fer  ter  watch 
out  fer  'im.  He  wuz  de  funniest  creetur  er  de  whole  gang. 
Some  folks  moughter  call  him  lucky,  en  yit,  w'en  he  git  in 
bad  luck,  hit  look  lak  he  mos'  allers  come  out  on  top.  Hit 


22  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

look  mighty  kuse  now,  but 't  wa'n't  kuse  in  dem  days,  kaze 
hit  'uz  done  gun  up  dat,  strike  'im  w'en  you  might  en  whar 
you  would,  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  de  soopless  creetur  gw^ine. 

"  One  time,  he  sorter  tuck  a  notion,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  did, 
dat  he'd  pay  Brer  B'ar  a  call,  en  no  sooner  do  de  notion 
strike  'im  dan  he  pick  hisse'f  up  en  put  out  fer  Brer  B'ar 
house." 

"  Why,  I  thought  they  were  mad  with  each  other,"  the 
little  boy  exclaimed. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  make  he  call  w'en  Brer  B'ar  en  his  fambly 
wuz  off  fum  home,"  Uncle  Remus  explained,  with  a 
chuckle  which  was  in  the  nature  of  a  hearty  tribute  to  the 
crafty  judgment  of  Brother  Rabbit. 

"  He  sot  down  by  de  road,  en  he  see  um  go  by, —  ole 
Brer  B'ar  en  ole  Miss  B'ar,  en  der  two  twin-chilluns,  w'ich 
one  un  um  wuz  name  Kubs  en  de  t'er  one  wuz  name  Klibs." 

The  little  boy  laughed,  but  the  severe  seriousness  of 
Uncle  Remus  would  have  served  for  a  study,  as  he  con 
tinued  : 

"  Ole  Brer  B'ar  en  Miss  B'ar,  dey  went  'long  ahead,  en 
Kubs  en  Klibs,  dey  come  shufflin'  en  scramblin'  'long  be- 
hime.  W'en  Brer  Rabbit  see  dis,  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  he 
'speck  he  better  go  see  how  Brer  B'ar  gittin'  on;  en  off  he 
put.  En  't  wa'n't  long  n'er  'fV  he  'uz  ransackin'  de  prem- 
muses  same  like  he  'uz  sho'  'nuff  patter-roller.  Wiles  he 
wuz  gwine  'roun*  peepin'  in  yer  en  pokin'  in  dar,  he  got 
ter  foolin'  'mong  de  shelfs,  en  a  bucket  er  honey  w'at  Brer 
B'ar  got  hid  in  de  cubbud  fall  down  en  spill  on  top  er  Brer 
Rabbit,  en  little  mo'n  he'd  er  bin  drown.  Fum  head  ter 


BROTHER  RABBIT'S  ASTONISHING  PRANK    23 

heels  dat  creetur  wuz  kiver'd  wid  honey;  Le  wa'n't  des  only 
bedobble  wid  it,  he  wuz  des  kiver'd.  He  hatter  set  dar  en 
let  de  natal  sweetness  drip  outen  he  eyeballs  'fo'  he  kin  see 
he  han'  befo'  'im,  en  den,  atter  he  look  'roun'  little,  he  say 
to  hisse'f,  sezee: 

' '  Heyo,  yer !  Wat  I  gwine  do  now  ?  Ef  I  go  out  in  de 
sunshine,  de  bumly-bees  en  de  flies  dey  '11  sworn  up'n  take 
me,  en  if  I  stay  yer,  Brer  B'ar'll  come  back  en  ketch  me, 
en  I  dunner  w'at  in  de  name  er  gracious  I  gwine  do.' 

"Ennyhow,  bimeby  a  notion  strike  Brer  Rabbit,  en  he 
tip  'long  twel  he  git  in  de  woods,  en  w'en  he  git  out  dar, 
w'at  do  he  do  but  roll  in  de  leafs  en  trash  en  try  fer  ter  rub 
de  honey  off'n  'im  dat  a-way.  He  roll,  he  did,  en  de  leafs 
dey  stick;  Brer  Rabbit  roll,  en  de  leafs  dey  stick,  en  he 
keep  on  rollin'  en  de  leafs  keep  on  stickin',  twel  atter  w'ile 
Brer  Rabbit  wuz  de  mos'  owdashus-lookin'  creetur  w'at 
you  ever  sot  eyes  on.  En  ef  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals  could 
er  seed  'im  den  en  dar,  dey  would  n't  er  bin  no  mo'  Brer 
Rabbit  call  at  der  house;  'deed,  en  dat  dey  would  n't. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  jump  'roun',  he  did,  en  try  ter  shake 
de  leafs  off'n  'im,  but  de  leafs,  dey  aint  gwine  ter  be  shuck 
off.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  shake  en  he  shiver,  but  de  leafs  dey 
stick ;  en  de  capers  dat  creetur  cut  up  out  dar  in  de  woods 
by  he  own-alone  se'f  wuz  scan'lous  —  dey  wuz  dat;  dey  wuz 
scan'lous. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  see  dis  wa'n't  gwine  ter  do,  en  he  'low  ter 
hisse'f  dat  he  better  be  gittin'  on  todes  home,  en  off  he  put. 
I  'speck  you  done  year  talk  ez  deze  yer  booggers  w'at  gits 
atter  bad  chilluns,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  in  a  tone  so 


24  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  R£MUS 

seriously  confidential  as  to  be  altogether  depressing;  "  well, 
den,  des  'zactly  dat  a-way  Brer  Rabbit  look,  en  ef  you'd 
er  seed  'im  you  'd  er  made  sho'  he  de  gran'-daddy  er  all  de 
booggers.  Brer  Rabbit  pace  'long,  he  did,  en  ev'y  motion 
he  make,  de  leafs  dey'd  go  swishy-swushy,  splushy- 
splishy,  en,  fum  de  fuss  he  make  en  de  way  he  look,  you  'd 
er  tuck  'im  ter  be  de  mos'  suvvigus  varment  w'at  disap 
pear  fum  de  face  er  de  yeth  sence  ole  man  Noah  let  down 
de  draw-bars  er  de  ark  en  tu'n  de  creeturs  loose;  en  I  boun' 
ef  you  'd  er  struck  up  long  wid  'im,  you  'd  er  been  mighty 
good  en  glad  ef  you  'd  er  got  off  wid  dat. 

"De  fus'  man  w'at  Brer  Rabbit  come  up  wid  wuz  ole 
Sis  Cow,  en  no  sooner  is  she  lay  eyes  on  'im  dan  she  h'ist 
up  'er  tail  in  de  elements,  en  put  out  like  a  pack  er  dogs 
wuz  atter  'er.  Dis  make  Brer  Rabbit  laff,  kaze  he  know 
dat  w'en  a  ole  settle'  'oman  like  Sis  Cow  run  'stracted  in 
de  broad  open  day-time,  dat  dey  mus'  be  sump'n'  mighty 
kuse  'bout  dem  leafs  en  dat  honey,  en  he  keep  on  a-rackin' 
down  de  road.  De  nex'  man  w'at  he  meet  wuz  a  black  gal 
tollin'  a  whole  passel  er  plantation  shotes,  en  w'en  de  gal 
see  Brer  Rabbit  come  prancin'  'long,  she  fling  down  'er 
basket  er  corn  en  des  fa'rly  fly,  en  de  shotes,  dey  tuck  thoo 
de  woods,  en  sech  n'er  racket  ez  dey  kick  up  wid  der  run- 
nin',  en  der  snortin',  en  der  squealin'  aint  never  bin  year 
in  dat  settlement  needer  befo'  ner  since.  Hit  keep  on  dis 
a-way  long  ez  Brer  Rabbit  meet  anybody  —  dey  des  broke 
en  run  like  de  Ole  Boy  wuz  atter  um. 

"  C'ose,  dis  make  Brer  Rabbit  feel  monst'us  biggity,  en 
he  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  'speck  he  better  drap  'roun'  en 


BROTHER  RABBIT'S  ASTONISHING  PRANK    25 

skummish  in  de  neighborhoods  er  Bre^  Fox  house.  En 
w'iles  he  wuz  stannin'  dar  runnin'  dis  'roun'  in  he  min', 
yer  come  old  Brer  B'ar  en  all  er  he  fambly.  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  git  cross  ways  de  road,  he  did,  en  he  sorter  sidle  todes 
urn.  Ole  Brer  B'ar,  he  stop  en  look,  but  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
keep  on  sidlin'  todes  um.  Ole  Miss  B'ar,  she  stan'  it  long 
ez  she  kin,  en  den  she  fling  down  'er  parrysol  en  tuck  a 
tree.  Brer  B'ar  look  lak  he  gwine  ter  stan'  his  groun',  but 
Brer  Rabbit  he  jump  straight  up  in  de  a'r  en  gin  hisse'f 
a  shake,  en,  bless  yo'  soul,  honey!  ole  Brer  B'ar  make  a 
break,  en  dey  tells  me  he  to'  down  a  whole  panel  er  fence 
gittin'  'way  fum  dar.  En  ez  ter  Kubs  en  Klibs,  dey  tuck 
der  hats  in  der  han's,  en  dey  went  skaddlin'  thoo  de  bushes 
des  same  ez  a  drove  er  hosses." 

"And  then  what  ?"   the  little  boy  asked. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  p'raded  on  down  de  'road,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  "en  bimeby  yer  come  Brer  Fox  en  Brer 
Wolf,  fixin'  up  a  plan  fer  ter  nab  Brer  Rabbit,  en  dey  wuz 
so  intents  on  der  confab  dat  dey  got  right  on  Brer  Rabbit 
'fo'  dey  seed  'im;  but,  gentermens!  w'en  dey  is  ketch  a 
glimpse  un  'im,  dey  gun  'im  all  de  room  he  want.  Brer 
Wolf,  he  try  ter  show  off,  he  did,  kase  he  wanter  play  big 
'fo'  Brer  Fox,  en  he  stop  en  ax  Brer  Rabbit  who  is  he.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  jump  up  en  down  in  de  middle  er  de  road,  en 
holler  out : 

"'I'm  de  Wull-er-de-Wust.1  I'm  de  Wull-er-de-Wust, 
en  youer  de  man  I  'm  atter ! ' 

1  Or  Wull-er-de-Wuts.  Probably  a  fantastic  corruption  of  "  will-o'-the' 
wisp,"  though  this  is  not  by  any  means  certain. 


26  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Den  Brer  Rabbit  jump  up  en  down  en  make  lak  he 
gwine  alter  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Wolf,  en  de  way  dem  cree- 
turs  lit  out  fum  dar  wuz  a  caution. 

"  Long  time  atter  dat,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  folding 
his  hands  placidly  in  his  lap,  with  the  air  of  one  who  has 
performed  a  pleasant  duty,  —  "  long  time  atter  dat,  Brer 
Rabbit  come  up  wid  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  WTolf,  en  he  git 
behime  a  stump,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  holler  out : 

"I'm  de  Wull-er-de-Wust,  en  youer  de  mens  I'm 
atter!' 

"Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Wolf,  dey  broke,  but  'fo'  dey  got 
outer  sight  en  outer  year'n',  Brer  Rabbit  show  hisse'f,  he 
did,  en  laugh  fit  ter  kill  hisse'f.  Atterwuds,  Miss  Meadows 
she  year  'bout  it,  en  de  nex'  time  Brer  Fox  call,  de  gals  dey 
up  en  giggle,  en  ax  'im  ef  he  aint  feard  de  Wull-er-de-Wust 
mought  drap  in.'* 

VI 
BROTHER  RABBIT  SECURES  A  MANSION 

THE  rain  continued  to  fall  the  next  day,  but  the  little  boy 
made  arrangements  to  go  with  'Tildy  when  she  carried 
Uncle  Remus  his  supper.  This  happened  to  be  a  waiter 
full  of  things  left  over  from  dinner.  There  was  so  much 
that  the  old  man  was  moved  to  remark: 

"  I  cl'ar  ter  gracious,  hit  look  lak  Miss  Sally  done  got 
my  name  in  de  pot  dis  time,  sho'.  I  des  wish  you  look  at 
dat  pone  er  co'n-bread,  honey,  en  dem  ar  greens,  en  see  ef 
dey  aint  got  Remus  writ  some'rs  on  um.  Dat  ar  chick'n 


BROTHER  RABBIT  SECURES  A  MANSION    27 

fixin's,  dey  look  lak  deyer  good,  yet  'taint  familious  wid  me 
lak  dat  ar  bile  ham.  Dem  ar  sweet-taters,  dey  stan's  fa'r 
fer  dividjun,  but  dem  ar  puzzuv,1  I  lay  dey  fit  yo'  palate 
mo'  samer  dan  dey  does  mine.  Dish  yer  hunk  er  beef, 
we  kin  talk  'bout  dat  w'en  de  time  come,  en  dem  ar  bis 
cuits,  I  des  nat'ally  knows  Miss  Sally  put  urn  in  dar  fer 
some  little  chap  w'ich  his  name  I  arfif  gwine  ter  call  in 
comp'ny." 

It  was  easy  to  perceive  that  the  sight  of  the  supper  had 
put  Uncle  Remus  in  rare  good-humor.  He  moved  around 
briskly,  taking  the  plates  from  the  waiter  and  distribut 
ing  them  with  exaggerated  carefulness  around  upon  his* 
little  pine  table.  Meanwhile  he  kept  up  a  running  fire  of 
conversation. 

"  Folks  w'at  kin  set  down  en  have  der  vittles  brung  en 
put  down  right  spang  und'  der  nose  —  dem  kinder  folks 
aint  got  no  needs  er  no  umbrell.  Night  'fo'  las',  w'iles  I 
wuz  settin'  dar  in  de  do',  I  year  dem  Willis-whistlers,  en 
den  I  des  knowed  we  'uz  gwine  ter  git  a  season."  2 

"The  Willis-whistlers,  Uncle  Remus,"  exclaimed  the 
little  boy.  "  What  are  they  ?  " 

"  Youer  too  hard  fer  me  now,  honey.  Dat  w'at  I  knows 
I  don't  min'  tellin',  but  w'en  you  axes  me  'bout  dat  w'at  I 
dunno,  den  youer  too  hard  fer  me,  sho'.  Deze  yer  Wil 
lis-whistlers,  dey  bangs  my  time,  en  I  bin  knockin'  'roun* 
in  dish  yer  low-groun'  now  gwine  on  eighty  year.  Some 

1  Preserves. 

2  In  the  South,  a  rain  is  called  a  "  season,"  not  only  by  the  negroes,  but 
by  many  white  farmers. 


28  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

folks  wanter  make  out  deyer  frogs,  yit  I  wish  dey  p'int  out 
unter  me  how  frogs  kin  holler  so  dat  de  nigher  you  come 
t'um,  de  furder  you  is  off ;  I  be  mighty  glad  ef  some  un 
'ud  come  'long  en  tell  me  dat.  Many  en  many's  de  time 
is  I  gone  atter  deze  yer  Willis-whistlers,  en,  no  diffunce 
whar  I  goes,  deyer  allers  off  yander.  You  kin  put  de  shovel 
in  de  fier  en  make  de  squinch-owl  hush  he  fuss,  en  you  kin 
go  out  en  put  yo'  han'  on  de  trees  en  make  deze  yere  locus '- 
bugs  quit  der  racket,  but  dem  ar  Willis-whistlers  deyer 
allers  'way  off  yander."1 

Suddenly  Uncle  Remus  paused  over  one  of  the  dishes, 
and  exclaimed : 

"  Gracious  en  de  goodness !  W'at  kinder  doin's  is  dis 
Miss  Sally  done  gone  sont  us  ?  " 

"  That,"  said  the  little  boy,  after  making  an  investigation, 
"is  what  mamma  calls  a  floating  island." 

"  Well,  den,"  Uncle  Remus  remarked,  in  a  relieved  tone, 
"dat's  diffunt.  I  wuz  mos'  fear'd  it  'uz  some  er  dat  ar 
sillerbug,  w'ich  a  whole  jugful  aint  ska'cely  'nuff  fer  ter 
make  you  seem  like  you  dremp  'bout  smellin'  dram.  Ef 
I  'm  gwine  ter  be  fed  on  foam,"  continued  the  old  man,  by 
way  of  explaining  his  position  on  the  subject  of  syllabub, 
"  let  it  be  foam,  en  ef  I  'm  gwine  ter  git  dram,  lemme  git  in 
reach  un  it  w'ile  she  got  some  strenk  lef '.  Dat 's  me  up  and 
down.  W'en  it  come  ter  yo'  floatin'  ilun,  des  gimme  a  hunk 

1  It  is  a  far-away  sound  that  might  be  identified  with  one  of  the  various 
undertones  of  silence,  but  it  is  palpable  enough  (if  the  word  may  be  used) 
to  have  attracted  the  attention  of  the  humble  philosophers  of  the  old 
plantation. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  SECURES  A  MANSION    29 

er  ginger-cake  en  a  mug  er  'simmon-beer,  en  dey  won't 
fine  no  nigger  w'ats  got  no  slicker  feelin's  dan  w'at  I  is. 

"Miss  Sally  mighty  kuse  w'ite  'oman,"  Uncle  Remus 
went  on.  "She  sendin'  all  deze  doin's  en  fixin's  down  yer, 
en  I  'speck  deyer  monst'us  nice,  but  no  longer'n  las'  Chuse- 
day  she  had  all  de  niggers  on  de  place,  big  en  little,  gwine 
squallin'  'roun'  fer  Remus.  Hit  'uz  Remus  yer  en  Renrus 
dar,  en,  lo  en  beholes,  w'en  I  come  ter  fine  out,  Miss  Sally 
want  Remus  fer  ter  whirl  in  en  cook  'er  one  er  deze  yer 
ole-time  ash-cakes.  She  bleedzd  ter  have  it  den  en  dar; 
en  w'en  I  git  it  done,  Miss  Sally,  she  got  a  glass  er  butter 
milk,  en  tuck'n  sot  right  flat  down  on  de  flo',  des  like  she 
useter  w'en  she  wuz  little  gal."  The  old  man  paused, 
straightened  up,  looked  at  the  child  over  his  spectacles, 
and  continued,  with  emphasis :  "  En  I  be  bless  ef  she  aint 
eat  a  hunk  er  dat  ash-cake  mighty  nigh  ez  big  ez  yo'  head, 
en  den  she  tuck'n  make  out 't  wa'n't  cook  right. 

"  Now,  den,  honey,  all  deze  done  fix.  You  set  over  dar, 
and  I'll  set  over  yer,  en  'twix'  en  'tween  us  we'll  sample 
dish  yer  truck  en  see  w'at  is  it  Miss  Sally  done  gone  en  sont 
us;  en  w'iles  we  er  makin'  'way  wid  it,  I'll  sorter  rustle 
'roun'  wid  my  'membunce,  en  see  ef  I  kin  call  ter  min'  de 
tale  'bout  how  ole  Brer  Rabbit  got  'im  a  two-story  house 
widout  layin'  out  much  cash." 

Uncle  Remus  stopped  talking  a  little  while  and  pre 
tended  to  be  trying  to  remember  something, —  an  effort 
that  was  accompanied  by  a  curious  humming  sound  in  his 
throat.  Finally,  he  brightened  up  and  began: 

"  Hit  tu'n  out  one  time  dat  a  whole  lot  er  de  creeturs 


30  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

tuck  a  notion  dat  dey  'd  go  in  coboots  wid  buil'n'  un  um  a 
house.  Ole  Brer  B'ar,  he  was  'mongs'  um,  en  Brer  Fox, 
en  Brer  Wolf,  en  Brer  'Coon,  en  Brer'  Possum.  I  won't 
make  sho',  but  it  seem  like  ter  me  dat  plum  down  ter  ole 
Brer  Mink  'uz  'mongs'  um.  Leas'ways,  dey  wuz  a  whole 
passel  un  um,  en  dey  whirl  in,  dey  did,  en  dey  buil'  de  house 
in  less'n  no  time.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  lak  it  make  he 
head  swim  fer  ter  climb  up  on  de  scaffle,  en  likewise  he  say 
it  make  'im  ketch  de  palsy  fer  ter  wuk  in  de  sun,  but  he  got 
'im  a  squar',  en  he  stuck  a  pencil  behime  he  year,  en  he 
went 'roun'  medju^en  markin'  —  medjun  en  markin'- 
en  he  wuz  dat  busy  dat  de  yuther  creeturs  say  ter  deyse'f 
he  doin'  monst'us  sight  er  wuk,  en  folks  gwine  'long  de  big 
road  say  Brer  Rabbit  doin'  mo'  hard  wuk  dan  de  whole  kit 
en  bilin'  un  um.  Yit  all  de  time  Brer  Rabbit  aint  doin' 
rothin',  en  he  des  well  bin  layin'  off  in  de  shade  scratchiri' 
de  fleas  off'n  'im.  De  yuther  creeturs,  dey  buil'  de  house, 
en,  gentermens!  she  'uz  a  fine  un,  too,  mon.  She'd  'a' 
bin  a  fine  un  deze  days,  let  'lone  dem  days.  She  had  er 
upsta'rs  en  downsta'rs,  en  chimbleys  all'roun',  en  she  had 
rooms  fer  all  de  creeturs  w'at  went  inter  cahoots  en  hope 
make  it. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  pick  out  one  er  de  upsta'rs  rooms,  en 
he  tuck'n'  got  'im  a  gun,  en  one  er  deze  yer  brass  cannons, 
en  he  tuck'n'  put  um  in  dar  w'en  de  yuther  creeturs  aint 
lookin',  en  den  he  tuck'n'  got  'im  a  tub  er  nasty  slop-water, 
w'ich  likewise  he  put  in  dar  w'en  dey  aint  lookin'.  So  den, 
w'en  dey  git  de  house  all  fix,  en  w'iles  dey  wuz  all  a-settin* 

1  Measuring. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  SECURES  A  MANSION    31 

in  de  parlor  alter  supper,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  gap  en 
stretch  hisse'f,  en  make  his  'skuses  en  say  he  b'leeve  he  '11 
go  ter  he  room.  Wen  he  git  dar,  en  w'iles  all  de  yuther 
creeturs  wuz  a-laughin'  en  a-chattin'  des  ez  sociable  ez 
you  please,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  stick  he  head  out  er  de  do'  er 
he  room  en  sing  out : 

' '  Wen  a  big  man  like  me  wanter  set  down,  wharbouts 
he  gwine  ter  set  ? '  sezee. 

"  Den  de  yuther  creeturs  dey  laugh,  en  holler  back: 

" '  Ef  big  man  like  you  can't  set  in  a  cheer,  he  better  set 
down  on  de  flo'.' 

" '  Watch  out  down  dar,  den,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 
'  Kaze  I  'm  a  gwine  ter  set  down,'  sezee. 

"Wid  dat,  bang!  went  Brer  Rabbit  gun.  Co'se,  dis 
sorter  'stonish  de  creeturs,  en  dey  look  'roun'  at  one  er 
n'er  much  ez  ter  say,  Wat  in  de  name  er  gracious  is  dat  ? 
Dey  lissen  en  lissen,  but  dey  don't  year  no  mo'  fuss,  en 
'twa'n't  long  'fo'  dey  got  ter  chattin'  en  jabberin'  some 
mo'.  Bimeby,  Brer  Rabbit  stick  he  head  outer  he  room 
do',  en  sing  out: 

' '  Wen  a  big  man  like  me  wanter  sneeze,  wharbouts  he 
gwine  ter  sneeze  at  ? ' 

"Den  de  yuther  creeturs,  dey  tuck'n'  holler  back: 

' '  Ef  big  man  like  you  aint  a-gone  gump,  he  kin  sneeze 
anywhar  he  please.' 

"Watch  out  down  dar,  den,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 
'Kase  I'm  gwine  ter  tu'n  loose  en  sneeze  right  yer,' 
sezee. 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  let  off  his  cannon  —  bulderum' 


32  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

m-m  !  De  winder-glass  dey  shuck  en  rattle,  en  de  house 
shuck  like  she  gwine  ter  come  down,  en  ole  Brer  B'ar,  he 
fell  out  de  rockin'-cheer  —  kerblump  !  Wen  de  creeturs  git 
sorter  settle,  Brer  'Possum  en  Brer  Mink,  dey  up'n'  'low 
dat  Brer  Rabbit  got  sech  a  monst'us  bad  cole,  dey  b'leeve 
dey  '11  step  out  and  git  some  fresh  a'r,  but  dem  yuther  cree 
turs,  dey  say  dey  gwine  ter  stick  it  out;  en  atter  w'ile,  w'en 
dey  git  der  h'ar  smoove  down,  dey  'gun  ter  jower  'mongs' 
deyse'f.  'Bout  dat  time,  w'en  dey  get  in  a  good  way,  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  sing  out : 

' '  W'en  a  big  man  like  me  take  a  chaw  terbacker,  whar- 
bouts  he  gwine  ter  spit  ? ' 

"Den  de  yuther  creeturs,  dey  holler  back,  dey  did, 
sorter  like  deyer  mad : 

"'Big  man  er  little  man,  spit  whar  you  please.' 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  squall  out : 

' '  Dis  de  way  a  big  man  spit ! '  en  wid  dat  he  tilt  over  de 
tub  er  slop-water,  en  w'en  de  yuther  creeturs  year  it  come 
a-sloshin'  down  de  sta'r-steps,  gentermens !  dey  des  histed 
deyse'f  outer  dar.  Some  un  um  went  out  de  back  do',  en 
some  un  um  went  out  de  front  do',  en  some  un  um  fell  out 
de  winders;  some  went  one  way  en  some  went  n'er  way; 
but  dey  all  went  sailin'  out." 

"But  what  became  of  Brother  Rabbit?"  the  little  boy 
asked. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  des  tuck V  shot  up  de  house  en  fas- 
sen  de  winders,  en  den  he  go  ter  bed,  he  did,  en  pull  de 
coverled  up  'roun'  he  years,  en  he  sleep  like  a  man  w'at 
aint  owe  nobody  nuthin';  en  needer  do  he  owe  um,  kaze 


MR.  LION  HUNTS  FOR  MR.  MAN          33 

ef  dem  yuther  creeturs  gwine  git  skeer'd  en  run  off  fum 
der  own  house,  w'at  bizness  is  dat  er  Brer  Rabbit  ?  Dat 
w'at  I  like  ter  know." 

VII 
MR.  LION  HUNTS  FOR  MR.  MAN 

UNCLE  REMUS  sighed  heavily  as  he  lifted  the  trivet  on  the 
head  of  his  walking-cane,  and  hung  it  carefully  by  the  side 
of  the  griddle  in  the  cavernous  fireplace. 

"  Folks  kin  come  'long  wid  der  watchermaycollums,"  he 
said  presently,  turning  to  the  little  boy,  who  was  supple 
menting  his  supper  by  biting  off  a  chew  of  shoemaker's- 
wax,  "  en  likewise  dey  kin  fetch  'roun'  der  \vatziznames. 
Dey  kin  walk  biggity,  en  dey  kin  talk  biggity,  en,  mo'n  dat, 
dey  kin  feel  biggity,  but  yit  all  de  same  deyer  gwine  ter  git 
kotch  up  wid  Dey  go  'long  en  dey  go  'long,  en  den  bimeby 
yer  come  trouble  en  snatch  um  slonchways,  en  de  mo' 
bigger  w'at  dey  is,  de  wusser  does  dey  git  snatched." 

The  little  boy  did  n't  understand  this  harangue  at  all, 
but  he  appreciated  it  because  he  recognized  it  as  the 
prelude  to  a  story. 

"Dar  wuz  Mr.  Lion,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on;  "he 
tuck'n'  sot  hisse'f  up  fer  ter  be  de  boss  er  all  de  yuther 
creeturs,  en  he  feel  so  biggity  dat  he  go  ro'in'  en  rampin' 
'roun'  de  neighborhoods  wuss'n  dat  ar  speckle  bull  w'at 
you  see  down  at  yo'  Unk'  Jeems  Abercrombie  place  las' 
year.  He  went  ro'in'  'roun',  he  did,  en  eve'ywhar  he  go  he 
year  talk  er  Mr.  Man.  Right  in  de  middle  er  he  braggin'r 


34*  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

some  un  'ud  up'n'  tell  'im  'bout  w'at  Mr.  Man  done  done. 
Mr.  Lion,  he  say  he  done  dis,  en  den  he  year  'bout  how  Mr. 
Man  done  dat.  Hit  went  on  dis  a-way  twel  bimeby  Mr. 
Lion  shake  he  mane,  he  did,  en  he  up'n'  say  dat  he  gwine 
ter  s'arch  'roun'  en  'roun',  en  high  en  low,  fer  ter  see  ef  he 
can't  fine  Mr.  Man,  en  he  'low,  Mr.  Lion  did,  dat  w'en  he 
do  fine  'im,  he  gwine  ter  tu'n  in  en  gin  Mr.  Man  sech  n'er 
larrupin'  w'at  nobody  aint  never  had  yit.  Dem  yuther  cree- 
turs,  dey  tuck'n'  tell  Mr.  Lion  dat  he  better  let  Mr.  Man 
'lone,  but  Mr.  Lion  say  he  gwine  ter  hunt  'im  down  spite 
er  all  dey  kin  do. 

"  Sho'  nuff,  atter  he  done  tuck  some  res',  Mr.  Lion,  he 
put  out  down  de  big  road.  Sun,  she  rise  up  en  shine  hot, 
but  Mr.  Lion,  he  keep  on;  win',  hit  come  up  en  blow,  en  fill 
de  elements  full  er  dust;  rain,  hit  drif  up  en  drizzle  down; 
but  Mr.  Lion,  he  keep  on.  Bimeby,  w'iles  he  gwine  on  dis 
a-way,  wid  he  tongue  hangin'  out,  he  come  up  wid  Mr. 
Steer,  grazin'  'long  on  de  side  er  de  road.  Mr.  Lion,  he 
up  'n'  ax  'im  howdy,  he  did,  monst'us  perlite,  en  Mr.  Steer 
likewise  he  bow  en  scrape  en  show  his  manners.  Den  Mr. 
Lion,  he  do  lak  he  wanter  have  some  confab  wid  'im,  en  he 
up'n'  say,  sezee: 

' '  Is  dey  anybody  'roun'  in  deze  parts  name  Mr.  Man  ? ' 
sezee. 

'Tooby  sho'  dey  is,'  sez  Mr.  Steer,  sezee;   *  anybody 
kin  tell  you  dat.  I  knows  'im  mighty  well,'  sezee. 
Well,  den,  he  de  ve'y  chap  I  'm  atter,'  sezee. 

"W'at  mought  be  yo'  bizness  wid  Mr.  Man?'  sez  Mr. 
Steer,  sezee. 


MR.  LION  HUNTS  FOR  MR.  MAN          35 

ts  I  done  come  dis  long  ways  fer  ter  gin  'im  a  larrupinY 
sez  Mr.  Lion,  sezee.  '  I  'm  gwine  ter  show  'im  who  de  boss 
er  deze  neighborhoods,'  sezee,  en  wid  dat  Mr.  Lion,  he 
shake  he  mane,  en  switch  he  tail,  en  strut  up  en  down 
wuss  'n  one  er  deze  yer  town  aiggacs.  lake  h s 

: '  Well,  den,  ef  dat  w'at  you  come  atter,'  sez  Mr.  Steer, 
sezee,  '  you  des  better  slew  yo'se'f  'roun'  en  p'int  yo'  nose 
todes  home,  kaze  you  fixin'  fer  ter  git  in  sho'  'nuff  trouble/ 
sezee. 

"  I  'm  gwine  ter  larrup  dat  same  Mr.  Man,'  sez  Mr. 
Lion,  sezee;  'I  done  come  fer  dat,  en  dat  w'at  I'm  gwine 
ter  do,'  sezee. 

"  Mr.  Steer,  he  draw  long  breff,  he  did,  en  chaw  he  cud 
slow,  en  atter  w'ile  he  say,  sezee: 

" '  You  see  me  stannin'  yer  front  er  yo'  eyes,  en  you  see 
how  big  I  is,  en  w'at  long,  sharp  hawns  I  got.  Well,  big 
ez  my  heft  is,  en  sharp  dough  my  hawns  be,  yit  Mr.  Man, 
he  come  out  yer  en  he  ketch  me,  en  he  put  me  und'  a  yoke, 
en  he  hitch  me  up  in  a  kyart,  en  he  make  me  haul  he  wood, 
en  he  drive  me  anywhar  he  min'  ter.  He  do  dat.  Better  let 
Mr.  Man  'lone,'  sezee.  '  If  you  fool  'long  wid  'im,  watch 
out  dat  he  don't  hitch  you  up  en  have  you  prancin'  'roun' 
yer  pullin'  he  kyart,'  sezee. 

"  Mr.  Lion,  he  fotch  a  roar,  en  put  out  down  de  road,  en 
't  wa'n't  so  mighty  long  'fo'  he  come  up  wid  Mr.  Hoss, 
w'ich  he  wuz  a-nibblin'  en  a-croppin'  de  grass.  Mr.  Lion 
make  hisse'f  know'd,  en  den  he  tuck'n'  ax  Mr.  Hoss  do  he 
know  Mr.  Man. 

" '  Mighty  well,'  sez  Mr.  Hoss,  sezee, '  en  mo'n  dat,  I  bin 


36  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

a-knowin'  'im  a  long  time.  Wat  you  want  wid  Mr.  Man  ? ' 
sezee. 

" '  I  'm  a-huntin'  'im  up  fer  ter  larrup  'im,'  sez  Mr.  Lion, 
sezee.  '  Dey  tels  me  he  mighty  stuck  up,'  sezee,  *  en  I  gwine 
take  'im  down  a  peg,'  sezee. 

"  Mr.  Hoss  look  at  Mr.  Lion  like  he  sorry,  en  bimeby  he 
up'n'  say: 

"  *  I  'speck  you  better  let  Mr.  Man  'lone,'  sezee.  '  You 
see  how  big  I  is,  en  how  much  strenk  w'at  I  got,  en  how 
tough  my  foots  is,'  sezee;  'well  dish  yer  Mr.  Man,  he 
kin  take'n'  take  me  en  hitch  me  up  in  he  buggy,  en 
make  me  haul  'im  all  'roun',  en  den  he  kin  ta'ken'  fassen 
me  ter  de  plow  en  make  me  break  up  all  his  new  groun',' 
sezee.  '  You  better  go  'long  back  home.  Fus'  news  you 
know,  Mr.  Man '11  have  you  breakin'  up  his  new  groun',' 
sezee. 

"  Spite  er  all  dis,  Mr.  Lion,  he  shake  he  mane  en  say  he 
gwine  ter  larrup  Mr.  Man  anyhow.  He  went  on  down  de 
big  road,  he  did,  en  bimeby  he  come  up  wid  Mr.  Jack 
Sparrer,  settin'  up  in  de  top  er  de  tree.  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer, 
he  whirl  'roun'  en  chirp,  en  flutter  'bout  up  dar,  en  'pari- 
ently  make  a  great  'miration. 

"Heyo  yer!'  sezee;  *  who'd  er  'speckted  fer  ter  see 
Mr.  Lion  'way  down  yer  in  dis  neighborhoods?'  sezee. 
'  Whar  you  gwine,  Mr.  Lion  ? '  sezee. 

"  Den  Mr.  Lion  ax  ef  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer  know  Mr.  Man, 
en  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer  say  he  know  Mr.  Man  mighty  well. 
Den  Mr.  Lion,  he  ax  ef  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer  know  whar  he 
stay,  w'ich  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer  say  dat  he  do.  Mr.  Lion  ax 


MR.  LION  HUNTS  FOR  MR.  MAN         37 

wharbouts  is  Mr.  Man,  en  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer  say  he  right 
'cross  dar  in  de  new  groun',  en  he  up'n'  ax  Mr.  Lion  w'at 
he  want  wid  'im,  w'ich  Mr.  Lion  'spon'  dat  he  gwine  larrup 
Mr.  Man,  en  wid  dat,  Mr.  Jack  Sparrer,  he  up'n'  say, 
sezee : 

" '  You  better  let  Mr.  Man  'lone.  You  see  how  little  I  is, 
en  likewise  how  high  I  kin  fly;  yit,  'spite  er  dat,  Mr.  Man, 
he  kin  fetch  me  down  w'en  he  git  good  an'  ready,'  sezee. 
*  You  better  tuck  yo'  tail  en  put  out  home,'  sez  Mr.  Jack 
Sparrer,  sezee, '  kaze  bimeby  Mr.  Man  '11  fetch  you  down,' 
sezee. 

"  But  Mr.  Lion  des  vow  he  gwine  atter  Mr.  Man,  en  go 
he  would,  en  go  he  did.  He  aint  never  see  Mr.  Man,  Mr. 
Lion  aint,  en  he  dunner  w'at  he  look  lak,  but  he  go  on  todes 
de  new  groun'.  Sho'  'nuff,  dar  wuz  Mr.  Man,  out  dar 
maulin'  rails  fer  ter  make  'im  a  fence.  He  'uz  rippin'  up  de 
butt  cut,  Mr.  Man  wuz,  en  he  druv  in  his  wedge  en  den  he 
stuck  in  de  glut.  He  'uz  splittin'  'way,  w'en  bimeby  he  year 
rustlin'  out  dar  in  de  bushes,  en  he  look  up,  en  dar  wuz  Mr. 
Lion.  Mr.  Lion  ax  'im  do  he  know  Mr.  Man,  en  Mr.  Man 
'low  dat  he  know  'im  mo'  samer  dan  ef  he  wer'  his  twin 
brer.  Den  Mr.  Lion  'low  dat  he  wanter  see  'im,  en  den  Mr.' 
Man  say,  sezee,  dat  ef  Mr.  Lion  will  come  stick  his  paw  in 
de  split  fer  ter  hoi'  de  log  open  twel  he  git  back,  he  go  fetch 
Mr.  Man.  Mr.  Lion  he  march  up  en  slap  his  paw  in  de 
place,  en  den  Mr.  Man,  he  tuck'n'  knock  de  glut  out,  en  de 
split  close  up,  en  dar  Mr.  Lion  wuz.  Mr.  Man,  he  stan'  off 
en  say,  sezee: 

" '  Ef  you  'd  'a'  bin  a  steer  er  hoss,  you  mought  er  run'd, 


38  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

en  ef  you  'd  V  bin  a  sparrer,  you  mought  er  flew'd,  but  yer 
you  is,  en  you  kotch  yo'se'f,'  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat,  Mr.  Man  sa'nter  out  in  de  bushes  en  cut  'im 
a  hick'ry,  en  he  let  in  on  Mr.  Lion,  en  he  frail  en  frail  'im 
twel  frailin'  un  'im  wuz  a  sin.  En  down  ter  dis  day,"  con 
tinued  Uncle  Remus,  in  a  tone  calculated  to  destroy  all 
doubt,  "you  can't  git  no  Lion  ter  come  up  whar  dey's  a 
Man  a-maulin'  rails  en  put  he  paw  in  de  split.  Dat  you 
can't!" 


VIII 
THE  STORY  OF  THE  PIGS 

UNCLE  REMUS  relapsed  into  silence  again,  and  the  little 
boy,  with  nothing  better  to  do,  turned  his  attention  to  the 
bench  upon  which  the  old  man  kept  his  shoemaker's  tools. 
Prosecuting  his  investigations  in  this  direction,  the  young 
ster  finally  suggested  that  the  supply  of  bristles  was  about 
exhausted. 

"I  dunner  w'at  Miss  Sally  wanter  be  sendin*  un  you 
down  yer  fer,  ef  you  gwine  ter  be  stirr'n'  en  bodderin' 
'longer  dem  ar  doin's,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  indig 
nantly.  "Now  don't  you  scatter  dem  hog-bristle!  De 
time  wuz  w'en  folks  had  a  mighty  slim  chance  fer  ter  git 
bristle,  en  dey  aint  no  tellin'  w'en  dat  time  gwine  come 
ag'in.  Let  'lone  dat,  de  time  wuz  w'en  de  breed  er  hogs  wuz 
done  run  down  ter  one  po'  little  pig,  en  it  look  lak  mighty 
sorry  chance  fer  dem  w'at  was  bleedzd  ter  have  bristle." 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  PIGS  39 

By  this  time  Uncle  Remus's  indignation  had  vanished, 
disappearing  as  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  as  it  came. 
The  little  boy  was  curious  to  know  when  and  where  and 
how  the  bristle  famine  occurred. 

"  I  done  tole  you  'bout  dat  too  long  'go  ter  talk  'bout," 
the  old  man  declared ;  but  the  little  boy  insisted  that  he  had 
never  heard  about  it  before,  and  he  was  so  persistent  that 
at  last  Uncle  Remus,  in  self-defence,  consented  to  tell  the 
story  of  the  Pigs. 

"  One  time,  'way  back  yander,  de  ole  Sow  en  er  chilluns 
wuz  all  livin'  'longer  de  yuther  creeturs.  Hit  seem  lak  ter 
me  dat  de  ole  Sow  wuz  a  widder  'oman,  en  ef  I  don't  run 
inter  no  mistakes,  hit  look  like  ter  me  dat  she  got  five 
chilluns.  Lemme  see,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  with 
the  air  of  one  determined  to  justify  his  memory  by  a  re 
ference  to  the  record,  and  enumerating  with  great  deliber 
ation,  —  '*  dar  wuz  Big  Pig,  en  dar  wuz  Little  Pig,  en  dar 
wuz  Speckle  Pig,  en  dar  wuz  Blunt,  en  las'  en  lonesomes' 
dar  WTUZ  Runt. 

"One  day,  deze  yer  Pig  ma  she  know  she  gwine  kick 
de  bucket,  and  she  tuck'n  call  up  all  'er  chilluns  en  tell 
urn  dat  de  time  done  come  w'en  dey  got  ter  look  out  fer 
deyse'f,  en  den  she  up'n  tell  um  good  ez  she  kin,  dough 
'er  breff  mighty  scant,  'bout  w'at  a  bad  man  is  ole  Brer 
Wolf.  She  say,  sez  she,  dat  if  dey  kin  make  der  'scape 
from  ole  Brer  Wolf,  dey '11  be  doin'  monst'us  well.  Big 
Pig  'low  she  aint  skeer'd,  Speckle  Pig  'low  she  aint  skeer'd, 
Blunt,  he  say  he  mos'  big  a  man  ez  Brer  Wolf  hisse'f,  en 
Runt,  she  des  tuck'n  root  'roun'  in  de  straw  en  grunt. 


40  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

But  ole  Widder  Sow,  she  lay  dar,  she  did,  en  keep  on 
tellin'  um  dat  dey  better  keep  der  eye  on  Brer  Wolf, 
kaz  he  mighty  mean  en  'seetful  man. 

"  Not  long  atter  dat,  sho'  'nuff  ole  Miss  Sow  lay  down 
en  die,  en  all  dem  ar  chilluns  er  hern  wuz  flung  back  on 
deyse'f,  en  dey  whirl  in,  dey  did,  en  dey  buil'  um  all  a 
house  ter  live  in.  Big  Pig,  she  tuck'n  buil'  'er  a  house 
outer  bresh;  Little  Pig,  she  tuck'n  buil'  a  stick  house; 
Speckle  Pig,  she  tuck'n  buil'  a  mud  house;  Blunt,  he 
tuck'n  buil'  a  plank  house;  en  Runt,  she  don't  make  no 
great  ter-do,  en  no  great  brags,  but  she  went  ter  wuk,  she 
did,  en  buil'  a  rock  house. 

"Bimeby,  w'en  dey  done  got  all  fix,  en  marters  wuz 
sorter  settle,  soon  one  mawnin'  yer  come  ole  Brer  Wolf, 
a-lickin'  un  his  chops  en  a-shakin'  un  his  tail.  Fus'  house 
he  come  ter  wuz  Big  Pig  house.  Brer  Wolf  walk  ter  de 
do',  he  did,  en  he  knock  sorter  saf  —  blim!  blim!  blim! 
Nobody  aint  answer.  Den  he  knock  loud  —  blam  !  blam  ! 
blam  !  Dis  wake  up  Big  Pig,  en  she  come  ter  de  do',  en  she 
ax  who  dat.  Brer  Wolf  'low  it 's  a  fr'en',  en  den  he  sing  out : 

"  Ef  you  'II  open  de  do'  en  let  me  in, 

I  'II  worn  my  Han's  en  go  home  ag'in.' 

"  Still  Big  Pig  ax  who  dat,  en  den  Brer  Wolf,  he  up'n 
say, sezee : 

" '  How  yo'  ma  ? '   sezee. 

"'My  ma  done  dead,'  sez  Big  Pig,  sezee,  'en  'fo'  she 
die  she  tell  me  fer  ter  keep  my  eye  on  Brer  Wolf.  I  sees 
you  thoo  de  crack  er  de  do',  en  you  look  mighty  like  Brer 
Wolf,'  sezee. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  PIGS  41 

"Den  ole  Brer  Wolf,  he  draw  a  long  breff  lak  he  feel 
mighty  bad,  en  he  up'n  say,  sezee: 

"'I  dimner  w'at  change  yo'  ma  so  bad,  less'n  she  'uz 
out'n  'er  head.  I  year  tell  dat  ole  Miss  Sow  wuz  sick, 
en  1  say  ter  myse'f  dat  I'd  kinder  drap  'roun'  en  see 
how  de  ole  lady  is,  en  fetch  'er  dish  yer  bag  er  roas'n'- 
years.  Mighty  well  does  I  know  dat  ef  yo'  ma  wuz  yer 
right  now,  en  in  'er  min',  she'd  take  de  roas'n'-years  en 
be  glad  fer  ter  git  um,  en  mo'n  dat,  she  'd  take'n  ax  me 
in  by  de  fire  fer  ter  worn  my  han's,'  sez  ole  Brer  Wolf, 
sezee. 

"  De  talk  'bout  de  roas'n'-ears  make  Big  Pig  mouf  water, 
en  bimeby,  atter  some  mo'  palaver,  she  open  de  do'  en  let 
Brer  Wolf  in,  en  bless  yo'  soul,  honey!  dat  uz  de  las'  er 
Big  Pig.  She  aint  had  time  fer  ter  squeal  en  needer  fer  ter 
grunt  'fo'  Brer  Wolf  gobble  'er  up. 

"Next  day,  ole  Brer  Wolf  put  up  de  same  game  on 
Little  Pig;  he  go  en  he  sing  he  song,  en  Little  Pig,  she 
tuck'n  let  'im  in,  en  den  Brer  Wolf  he  tuck'n  'turn  de 
compelerments  l  en  let  Little  Pig  in." 

Here  Uncle  Remus  laughed  long  and  loud  at  his  con 
ceit,  and  he  took  occasion  to  repeat  it  several  times. 

"  Little  Pig,  she  let  Brer  WTolf  in,  en  Brer  Wolf,  he  let 
Little  Pig  in,  en  w'at  mo'  kin  you  ax  dan  dat  ?  Nex'  time 
Brer  Wolf  pay  a  call,  he  drop  in  on  Speckle  Pig,  en  rap 
at  de  do'  en  sing  his  song: 

"'Ef  you  'II  open  de  do'  en  let  me  in, 
I  'II  worn  my  han's  en  go  home  ag'in.' 
1  Compliments. 


42  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"But  Speckle  Pig,  she  kinder  'spicion  sump'n,  en  she 
'fuse  ter  open  de  do'.  Yit  Brer  Wolf  mighty  'seetful  man, 
en  he  talk  mighty  saf  en  he  talk  mighty  sweet.  Bimeby, 
he  git  he  nose  in  de  crack  er  de  do'  en  he  say  ter  Speckle 
Pig,  sezee,  fer  ter  des  let  'im  git  one  paw  in,  en  den  he 
won't  go  no  furder.  He  git  de  paw  in,  en  den  he  beg  fer 
ter  git  de  yuther  paw  in,  en  den  w'en  he  git  dat  in  he 
beg  fer  ter  git  he  head  in,  en  den  w'en  he  git  he  head 
in,  en  he  paws  in,  co'se  all  he  got  ter  do  is  ter  shove  de 
do'  open  en  walk  right  in ;  en  w'en  marters  stan'  dat  way, 
't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  done  make  fresh  meat  er  Speckle 

Kg- 

"  Nex'  day,  he  make  way  wid  Blunt,  en  de  day  atter,  he 

'low  dat  he  make  a  pass  at  Runt.  Now,  den,  right  dar 
whar  ole  Brer  Wolf  slip  up  at.  He  lak  some  folks  w'at  I 
knows.  He  'd  'a'  bin  mighty  smart,  ef  he  had  n't  er  bin  too 
smart.  Runt  wuz  de  littles'  one  er  de  whole  gang,  yit  all 
de  same  news  done  got  out  dat  she  'uz  pestered  wid  sense 
like  grown  folks. 

"Brer  Wolf,  he  crope  up  ter  Runt  house,  en  he  got 
un'need  de  winder,  he  did,  en  he  sing  out : 

"'Ef  you  'II  open  de  do'  en  let  me  in, 
I  'II  worn  my  han's  en  go  home  ag'in.' 

"But  all  de  same,  Brer  Wolf  can't  coax  Runt  fer  ter 
open  de  do',  en  needer  kin  he  break  in,  kaze  de  house 
done  made  outer  rock.  Bimeby  Brer  Wolf  make  out  he 
done  gone  off,  en  den  atter  while  he  come  back  en  knock 
at  de  do'  —  blam,  blam,  blam  ! 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  PIGS  43 

"  Runt  she  sot  by  de  fier,  she  did,  en  sorter  scratch  Jer 
year,  en  holler  out: 

"'Who  dat? 'sez  she. 

"'Hit's  Speckle  Pig,'  sez  ole  Brer  Wolf,  sezee,  'twix' 
a  snort  en  a  grunt.  '  I  fotch  yer  some  peas  fer  yo'  dinner ! ' 

"  Runt,  she  tuck'n  laugh,  she  did,  en  holler  back : 

'  *  Sis  Speckle  Pig  aint  never  talk  thoo  dat  many  toofies.' 

"Brer  Wolf  go  off  'g'in,  en  bimeby  he  come  back  en 
knock.  Runt  she  sot  en  rock,  en  holler  out: 

"'Who  dat?' 

"Big  Pig,'  sez  Brer  Wolf.-  'I  fotch  some  sweet-co'n 
fer  yo'  supper.' 

"  Runt,  she  look  thoo  de  crack  un'need  de  do',  en  laugh 
211  say,  sez  she: 

" '  Sis  Big  Pig  aint  had  no  ha'r  on  'er  huff.' 

"Den  ole  Brer  Wolf,  he  git  mad,  he  did,  en  say  he 
gwine  come  down  de  chimbley,  en  Runt,  she  say,  sez  she, 
dat  de  onliest  way  w'at  he  kin  git  in;  en  den,  w'en  she 
year  Brer  Wolf  clam'in'  up  on  de  outside  er  de  chimbley, 
she  tuck'n  pile  up  a  whole  lot  er  broom  sage  front  er  de 
h'a'th,  en  w'en  she  year  'im  clam'in'  down  on  de  inside, 
she  tuck  de  tongs  en  shove  de  straw  on  de  fier,  en  de 
smoke  make  Brer  Wolf  head  swim,  en  he  drap  down,  en 
'fo'  he  know  it  he  'uz  done  bu'nt  ter  a  cracklin';  en  dat 
wuz  de  las'  er  ole  Brer  Wolf.  Leas' ways,"  added  Uncle 
Remus,  putting  in  a  cautious  proviso  to  fall  back  upon  in 
case  of  an  emergency,  "leas'ways,  hit  'uz  de  las'  er  dat 
Brer  Wolf." 


44  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

IX 

MR.   BENJAMIN  RAM  AND   HIS  WONDERFUL 
FIDDLE 

"  I  'SPECK  you  done  year  tell  er  ole  man  Benjermun  Ram," 
said  Uncle  Remus,  with  a  great  affectation  of  indifference, 
after  a  pause. 

"  Old  man  who  ? "   asked  the  little  boy. 

"  Ole  man  Benjermun  Ram.  I  'speck  you  done  year  tell 
er  him  too  long  'go  ter  talk  'bout." 

"  Why,  no,  I  have  n't,  Uncle  Remus ! "  exclaimed  the 
little  boy,  protesting  and  laughing.  "  He  must  have  been 
a  mighty  funny  old  man." 

"Dat's  ez  may  be,"  responded  Uncle  Remus,  senten- 
tiously.  "  Fun  deze  days  would  n't  er  counted  fer  fun  in 
dem  days;  en  many's  de  time  w'at  I  see  folks  laughin'," 
continued  the  old  man,  with  such  withering  sarcasm  that 
the  little  boy  immediately  became  serious,  —  "many's  de 
time  w'at  I  sees  um  laughin'  en  laughin',  w'en  I  lay  dey 
aint  kin  tell  w'at  deyer  laughin'  at  deyse'f.  En  'taint  der 
laughin'  w'at  pesters  me,  nudder,"  —  relenting  a  little,  — 
"hit's  dish  yer  ev'lastin'  snickle  en  giggle,  giggle  en 
snickle." 

Having  thus  mapped  out,  in  a  dim  and  uncertain  way, 
what  older  people  than  the  little  boy  might  have  been 
excused  for  accepting  ag  a  sort  of  moral  basis,  Uncle 
Remus  proceeded : 

"  Dish  yer  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  w'ich  he  done  come  up 


MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  45 

inter  my  min',  wuz  one  er  deze  yer  ole-timers.  Dey  tells  me 
dat  he  'uz  a  fiddler  fum  away  back  yander  —  one  er  dem  ar 
kinder  fiddlers  w'at  can't  git  de  chime  down  fine  'less  dey 
pats  der  foot.  He  stay  all  by  he  own-alone  se'f  way  out  in 
de  middle  un  a  big  new-groun',  en  he  sech  a  handy  man  fer 
ter  have  at  a  frolic  dat  de  yuther  creeturs  like  'im  mighty 
well,  en  w'en  dey  tuck  a  notion  fer  ter  shake  der  foot,  w'ich 
de  notion  tuck'n  struck  um  eve'y  once  in  a  w'ile,  nuthin* 
'ud  do  but  dey  mus*  sen'  fer  ole  man  Benjermun  Ram  en 
he  fiddle;  en  dey  do  say,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  closing 
his  eyes  in  a  sort  of  ecstasy,  "  dat  w'en  he  squar'  hisse'f 
back  in  a  cheer,  en  git  in  a  weavin'  way,  he  kin  des  snatch 
dem  ole-time  chunes  fum  wrho  lay  de  rail.1  En  den,  w'en 
de  frolic  wuz  done,  dey  'd  all  fling  in,  dem  yuther  creeturs 
would,  en  fill  up  a  bag  er  peas  fer  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram 
fer  ter  kyar  home  wid  'im. 

"  One  time,  des  'bout  Christmas,  Miss  Meadows  en  Miss 
Motts  en  de  gals,  dey  up  'n  say  dat  dey  'd  sorter  gin  a  blow 
out,  en  dey  got  wud  ter  ole  man  Benjermun  Ram  w'ich  dey 
'speckted  'im  fer  ter  be  on  han'.  W'en  de  time  done  come 
fer  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  fer  ter  start,  de  win'  blow  cole  en 
de  cloud  'gun  ter  spread  out  'cross  de  elements  —  but  no 
marter  fer  dat;  ole  man  Benjermun  Ram  tuck  down  he 
walkin'-cane,  he  did,  en  tie  up  he  fiddle  in  a  bag,  en  sot  out 
fer  Miss  Meadows.  He  thunk  he  know  de  way,  but  hit 
keep  on  gittin'  col'er  en  col'er,  en  mo'  cloudy,  twel  bimeby, 
fus'  news  you  know,  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  done  lose  de 
way.  Ef  he  'd  er  kep'  on  down  de  big  road  fum  de  start,  it 

1  That  is,  from  the  foundation,  or  beginning1. 


46  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

moughter  bin  diffunt,  but  he  tuck  a  nigh-cut,  en  he  aint  git 
fur  'fo'  he  done  los'  sho'  'nuff.  He  go  dis  a- way,  en  he  go  dat 
a-way,  en  he  go  de  yuther  way,  yit  all  de  same  he  wuz  done 
los'.  Some  folks  would  er  sot  right  flat  down  whar  dey  wuz 
en  study  out  de  way,  but  ole  man  Benjermun  Ram  aint  got 
wrinkle  on  he  hawn  fer  nothin',  kaze  he  done  got  de  name 
er  ole  Billy  Hardhead  long  'fo'  dat.  Den  ag'in,  some  folks 
would  er  stop  right  still  in  der  tracks  en  holler  en  bawl  fer 
ter  see  ef  dey  can't  roust  up  some  er  de  neighbors,  but  ole 
Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  he  des  stick  he  jowl  in  de  win',  he 
did,  en  he  march  right  on  des  'zackly  like  he  know  he  aint 
gwine  de  wrong  way.  He  keep  on,  but 't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he 
'gun  ter  feel  right  lonesome,  mo'  speshually  w'en  hit  come 
up  in  he  min'  how  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals  en  all  de 
comp'ny  be  bleedz  ter  do  de  bes'  dey  kin  bidout  any 
fiddlin' ;  en  hit  kinder  make  he  marrer  git  cole  w'en  he 
study  'bout  how  he  gotter  sleep  out  dar  in  de  woods  by 
hisse'f. 

"  Yit,  all  de  same,  he  keep  on  twel  de  dark  'gun  ter  drap 
down,  en  den  he  keep  on  still,  en  bimeby  he  come  ter  a 
little  rise  whar  dey  wuz  a  clay-gall.  W'en  he  git  dar  he  stop 
en  look  'roun',  he  did,  en  'way  off  down  in  de  holler,  dar 
he  see  a  light  shinin',  en  w'en  he  see  dis,  ole  man  Benjer 
mun  Ram  tuck  he  foot  in  he  han',  en  make  he  way  todes  it 
des  lak  it  de  ve'y  place  w'at  he  bin  huntin'.  'T  wa'n't  long 
'fo'  he  come  ter  de  house  whar  de  light  is,  en,  bless  you 
soul,  he  don't  make  no  bones  er  knockin'.  Den  somebody 
holler  out: 

"< Who  dat?' 


MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  47 

"'I'm  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  en  I  done  lose  de  way,  en 
I  come  fer  ter  ax  you  ef  you  can't  take  me  in  fer  de  night,' 
sezee. 

"In  common,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "ole  Mr. 
Benjermun  Ram  wuz  a  mighty  rough-en-spoken  some 
body,  but  you  better  b'leeve  he  talk  monst'us  perlite  dis 
time. 

"  Den  some  un  on  t'er  side  er  de  do*  ax  Mr.  Benjermun 
Ram  fer  ter  walk  right  in,  en  wid  dat  he  open  de  do'  en 
walk  in,  en  make  a  bow  like  fiddlin'  folks  does  w'en  dey 
goes  in  comp'ny;  but  he  aint  no  sooner  make  he  bow  en 
look  'roun'  twel  he  'gun  ter  shake  en  shiver  lak  he  done 
bin  strucken  wid  de  swamp-ager,  kaze,  settin'  right  dar  'fo' 
de  fier  wuz  ole  Brer  Wolf,  wid  his  toofies  showin'  up  all 
w'ite  en  shiny  like  dey  wuz  bran  new.  Ef  ole  Mr.  Ben 
jermun  Ram  aint  bin  so  ole  en  stiff  I  boun'  you  he'd  er 
broke  en  run,  but  'mos'  'fo'  he  had  time  fer  ter  study  'bout 
gittin'  'way,  ole  Brer  Wolf  done  bin  jump  up  en  shet  de  do' 
en  fassen  'er  wid  a  great  big  chain.  Ole  Mr.  Benjermun 
Ram  he  know  he  in  fer't,  en  he  tuck  'n  put  on  a  bol'  face  ez 
he  kin,  but  he  des  nat'ally Tiaft3  Ter  ter  be  los'  in  de  woods 
some  mo'.  Den  he  make  n'er  low  bow,  en  he  hope  Brer 
Wolf  and  all  his  folks  is  well,  en  den  he  say,  sezee,  dat  he  des 
drap  in  fer  ter  worn  hisse'f,  en  'quire  uv  de  way  ter  Miss 
Meadows',  en  ef  Brer  Wolf  be  so  good  ez  ter  set  'im  in  de 
road  ag'in,  he  be  off  putty  soon  en  be  much  'blige  in  de 
bargains. 

1  To  pine  or  long-  for  anything.  This  is  a  good  old  English  word,  which 
has  been  retained  in  the  plantation  vocabulary. 


48  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'Tooby  sho',  Mr.  Ram,'  sez  Brer  Wolf,  sezee,  w'iles  he 
lick  he  chops  en  grin;  '  des  put  yo'  walkin'-cane  in  de  corn- 
der  over  dar,  en  set  yo'  bag  down  on  de  flo',  en  make  yo'- 
se'f  at  home,'  sezee.  *  We  aint  got  much,'  sezee,  '  but  w'at 
we  is  got  is  yone  w'iles  you  stays,  en  I  boun'  we  '11  take  good 
keer  un  you,'  sezee;  en  wid  dat  Brer  Wolf  laugh  en  show 
his  toofies  so  bad  dat  ole  man  Benjermun  Ram  come  mighty 
nigh  havin'  n'er  ager. 

"  Den  Brer  Wolf  tuck  'n  flung  'n'er  lighter' d-knot  on  de 
fier,  en  den  he  slip  inter  de  back  room,  en  present'y,  w'iles 
ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  wuz  settin'  dar  shakin'  in  he 
shoes,  he  year  Brer  WTolf  whispun'  ter  he  ole  'oman : 

Ole  'oman !   ole  'oman !   Fling  'way  yo'  smoke  meat 
—  fresh  meat  f er  supper !    Fling  'way  yo'  smoke  meat  — 
fresh  meat  f  er  supper ! ' 

"  Den  ole  Miss  Wolf,  she  talk  out  loud,  so  Mr.  Benjer 
mun  Ram  kin  year : 

"Tooby  sho'  I'll  fix  'im  some  supper.  We  er  'way  off 
yer  in  de  woods,  so  fur  fum  comp'ny  dat  goodness  knows 
I  'm  mighty  glad  ter  see  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram.' 

"Den  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  year  ole  Miss  W7olf  whet- 
tin'  'er  knife  on  a  rock  —  shirrah  I  shirrah  !  shirrah  !  — 
en  ev'y  time  he  year  de  knife  say  shirrah  !  he  know  he  dat 
much  nigher  de  dinner-pot.  He  know  he  can't  git  'way,  en 
w'iles  he  settin'  dar  studyin',  hit  come  'cross  he  min'  dat  he 
des  mought  ez  well  play  one  mo'  chune  on  he  fiddle  'fo'  de 
wuss  come  ter  de  wuss.  Wid  dat  he  ontie  de  bag  en  take  out 
de  fiddle,  en  'gun  ter  chune  'er  up  —  plink,  plank,  plunk, 
plink  !  plunk,  plank,  plink,  plunk  I " 


MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  49 

Uncle  Remus's  imitation  of  the  tuning  of  a  fiddle  was 
marvellous  enough  to  produce  a  startling  effect  upon  a 
much  less  enthusiastic  listener  than  the  little  boy.  It  was 
given  in  perfect  good  faith,  but  the  serious  expression  on 
the  old  man's  face  was  so  irresistibly  comic  that  the  child 
laughed  until  the  tears  ran  down  his  face.  Uncle  Remus 
very  properly  accepted  this  as  a  tribute  to  his  wonderful 
resources  as  a  story-teller,  and  continued,  in  great  good- 
humor  : 

"Wen  ole  Miss  Wolf  year  dat  kinder  fuss,  co'se  she 
dunner  w?at  is  it,  en  she  drap  'er  knife  en  lissen.  Ole  Mr. 
Benjermun  Ram  aint  know  dis,  en  he  keep  on  chunin' 
up  —  plank,  plink,  plunk,  plank  !  Den  ole  Miss  Wolf, 
she  tuck'n  hunch  Brer  Wolf  wid  'er  elbow,  en  she  say, 
sez  she : 

"  *  Hey,  ole  man !  w'at  dat  ? ' 

"Den  bofe  un  um  cock  up  der  years  en  lissen,  en  des 
'bout  dat  time  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  he  sling  de  butt  er 
de  fiddle  up  und'  he  chin,  en  struck  up  one  er  dem  ole-time 
chunes." 

"  Well,  what  tune  was  it,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  the  little  boy 
asked,  with  some  display  of  impatience. 

"  Ef  I  aint  done  gone  en  fergit  dat  chune  off 'n  my  min'," 
continued  Uncle  Remus ;  "  hit  sorter  went  like  dat  ar  song 
'bout '  Sheep  shell  co'n  wid  de  rattle  er  his  ho'n,'  en  yit  hit 
mout  er  been  dat  £r  yuther  one  'bout '  Roll  de  key,  ladies, 
roll  dem  keys.'  Brer  Wolf  en  ole  Miss  Wolf,  dey  lissen  en 
lissen,  en  de  mo'  w'at  dey  lissen  de  skeerder  dey  git,  twel 
bimeby  dey  tuck  ter  der  heels  en  make  a  break  fer  de 


50  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

swamp  at  de  back  er  de  house  des  lak  de  patter-rollers  wuz 
atter  um. 

"Wen  ole  man  Benjermun  Ram  sorter  let  up  wid  he 
fiddlin',  he  don't  see  no  Brer  Wolf,  en  he  don't  year  no  ole 
Miss  Wolf.  Den  he  look  in  de  back  room;  no  Wolf  dar. 
Den  he  look  in  de  back  po'ch;  no  Wolf  dar.  Den  he  look 
in  de  closet  en  de  cubberd;  no  Wolf  aint  dar  yit.  Den  ole 
Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  he  tuck'n  shot  all  de  do's  en  lock 
um,  en  he  s'arch  'roun'  en  he  fine  some  peas  en  fodder  in 
de  lof ,  w'ich  he  et  um  fer  he  supper,  en  den  he  lie  down 
front  er  de  fier  en  sleep  soun'  ez  a  log. 

"Nex'  mawnin'  he  'uz  up  en  stirrin'  monst'us  soon,  en 
he  put  out  fum  dar,* en  he  fine  de  way  ter  Miss  Meadows' 
time  'nuff  fer  ter  play  at  de  frolic.  W'en  he  git  dar,  Miss 
Meadows  en  de  gals,  dey  run  ter  de  gate  fer  ter  meet  'im, 
en  dis  un  tuck  he  hat,  en  dat  un  tuck  he  cane,  en  t'er'n  tuck 
he  fiddle,  en  den  dey  up'n  say: 

"Law,  Mr.  Ram!  whar  de  name  er  goodness  is  you 
bin  ?  We  so  glad  you  come.  Stir  'roun'  yer,  folks,  en  git 
Mr.  Ram  a  cup  er  hot  coffee.' 

"Dey  make  a  mighty  big  ter-do  'bout  Mr.  Benjermun 
Ram,  Miss  Meadows  en  Miss  Motts  en  de  gals  did,  but 
'twix'  you  en  me  en  de  bedpos',  honey,  dey 'd  er  had  der 
frolic  wh'er  de  ole  chap  'uz  dar  er  not,  kaze  de  gals  done 
make  'rangerments  wid  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  pat  fer  um, 
en  in  dem  days  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  a  patter,  mon.  He  mos' 
sho'ly  wuz." 


BROTHER  RABBIT'S  RIDDLE  51 


BROTHER  RABBIT'S  RIDDLE 

"  COULD  Brother  Rabbit  pat  a  tune,  sure  enough,  Uncle 
Remus  ? "  asked  the  little  boy,  his  thoughts  apparently 
dwelling  upon  the  new  accomplishment  of  Brother  Rabbit 
at  which  the  old  man  had  hinted  in  his  story  of  Mr.  Benja 
min  Ram.  Uncle  Remus  pretended  to  be  greatly  surprised 
that  any  one  could  be  so  unfamiliar  with  the  accomplish 
ments  of  Brother  Rabbit  as  to  venture  to  ask  such  a  ques 
tion.  His  response  was  in  the  nature  of  a  comment : 

"  Name  er  goodness !  w'at  kinder  pass  dish  yer  we  comin' 
ter  w'en  a  great  big  grow'd  up  young  un  axin'  'bout  Brer 
Rabbit  ?  Bless  yo'  soul,  honey !  dey  wa'n't  no  chune  gwine 
dat  Brer  Rabbit  can't  pat.  Let  'lone  dat,  w'en  dey  wuz 
some  un  else  fer  ter  do  de  pattin',  Brer  Rabbit  kin  jump 
out  inter  de  middle  er  de  flo'  en  des  nat'ally  shake  de  eye- 
1'ds  off 'en  dem  yuther  creeturs.  En  't  wa'n't  none  er  dish 
yer  bowin'  en  scrapin',  en  slippin'  en  slidin',  en  han's  all 
'roun',  w'at  folks  does  deze  days.  Hit  uz  dish  yer  up  en 
down  kinder  dancin',  whar  dey  des  lips  up  in  de  a'r  fer  ter 
cut  de  pidjin-wing,  en  lights  on  de  flo'  right  in  de  middle  er 
de  double-shuffle.  Shoo  !  Dey  aint  no  dancin'  deze  days ; 
folks'  shoes  too  tight,  en  dey  aint  got  dat  limbersomeness 
in  de  hips  w'at  dey  useter  is.  Dat  dey  aint. 

"En  yit,"  Uncle  Remus  continued,  in  a  tone  which 
seemed  to  imply  that  he  deemed  it  necessary  to  apologize 
for  the  apparent  frivolity  of  Brother  Rabbit,  —  "  en  yit  de 


52  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

time  come  w'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  'gun  ter  put  dis  en  dat 
tergedder,  en  de  notion  strak  'im  dat  he  better  be  home 
lookin'  atter  de  intruss  er  he  fambly,  'stidder  trapesin'  en 
trollopin'  'roun'  ter  all  de  frolics  in  de  settlement.  He 
tuck'n  study  dis  in  he  min'  twel  bimeby  he  sot  out  'ter- 
min'  fer  ter  'arn  he  own  livelihoods,  en  den  he  up'n  lay  off 
a  piece  er  groun'  en  plant  'im  a  tater-patch. 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  see  all  dish  yer  gwine  on,  he  did,  en  he 
'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  'speck  Brer  Rabbit  rashfulness  done 
bin  supjued  kaze  he  skeer'd,  en  den  Brer  Fox  make  up 
his  min'  dat  he  gwine  ter  pay  Brer  Rabbit  back  fer  all  he 
'seetfulness.  He  start  in,  Brei  Fox  did,  en  fum  dat  time 
forrerd  he  aggervate  Brer  Rabbit  'bout  he  tater-patch. 
One  night  he  leave  de  draw-bars  down,  'n'er  night  he 
fling  off  de  top  rails,  en  nex'  night  he  t'ar  down  a  whole 
panel  er  fence,  en  he  keep  on  dis  a-way  twel  'pariently  Brer 
Rabbit  dunner  w'at  ter  do.  All  dis  time  Brer  Fox  keep  on 
foolin'  wid  de  tater-patch,  en  w'en  he  see  w'ich  Brer  Rab 
bit  aint  makin'  no  motion,  Brer  Fox  'low  dat  he  done 
skeer'd  sho'  'nuff,  en  dat  de  time  done  come  fer  ter  gobble 
him  up  bidout  lief  er  license.  So  he  call  on  Brer  Rabbit, 
Brer  Fox  did,  en  he  ax  'im  will  he  take  a  walk.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  ax  wharbouts.  Brer  Fox  say,  right  out  yander. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  ax  w'at  is  dey  right  out  yander  ?  Brer  Fox 
say  he  know  whar  dey  some  mighty  fine  peaches,  en  he 
want  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  go  'long  en  climb  de  tree  en  fling 
um  down.  Brer  Rabbit  say  he  don't  keer  ef  he  do,  mo' 
speshually  fer  ter  'blige  Brer  Fox. 

"Dey  sot  out,  dey  did,  en  atter  w'ile,  sho'  'nuff,  dey 


BROTHER  RABBIT'S  RIDDLE  53 

come  ter  de  peach-orchud,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  w'at  do  he  do 
but  pick  out  a  good  tree,  en  up  he  clum.  Brer  Fox,  he  sot 
hisse'f  at  de  root  er  de  tree,  kaze  he  'low  dat  w'en  Brer 
Rabbit  come  down  he  hatter  come  down  backerds,  en  den 
dat  'ud  be  de  time  fer  ter  nab  'im.  But,  bless  yo'  soul,  Brer 
Rabbit  dun  see  w'at  Brer  Fox  atter  'fo'  he  clum  up.  Wen 
he  pull  de  peaches,  Brer  Fox  say,  sezee: 

" '  Fling  um  down  yer,  Brer  Rabbit  —  fling  um  right 
down  yer  so  I  kin  ketch  um,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  wunk  de  furdest  eye  fum  Brer 
Fox,  en  he  holler  back,  he  did : 

"  Ef  I  fling  um  down  dar  whar  you  is,  Brer  Fox,  en  you 
misses  um,  dey'll  git  squshed,'  sezee,  'so  I'll  des  sorter 
pitch  um  out  yander  in  de  grass  whar  dey  won't  git  bus',' 
sezee. 

"Den  he  tuck'n  flung  de  peaches  out  in  de  grass,  en 
w'iles  Brer  Fox  went  atter  um,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  skint  down 
outer  de  tree,  en  hustle  hisse'f  twel  he  git  elbow-room. 
W'en  he  git  off  little  ways,  he  up'n  holler  back  ter  Brer 
Fox  dat  he  got  a  riddle  he  want  'im  ter  read.  Brer  Fox,  he 
ax  w'at  is  it.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  gun  it  out  ter  Brer 
Fox  lak  a  man  sayin'  a  speech: 

"'Big  bird  rob  en  little  bird  sing, 
De  big  bee  zoon  en  little  bee  sting, 
De  little  man  lead  en  big  hoss  f oiler  — 
Kin  you  tell  w'at 's  good  fer  a  head  in  a  holler  ?' 

"Ole  Brer  Fox  scratch  he  head  en  study,  en  study  en 
scratch  he  head,  but  de  mo'  he  study  de  wuss  he  git  mix 
up  wid  de  riddle,  en  atter  w'ile  he  tuck'n  tell  Brer  Rabbit 


54  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

dat  he  dunno  how  in  de  name  er  goodness  ter  onriddle  dat 
riddle. 

"  *  Come  en  go  'longer  me,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee, 
*  en  I  boun'  you  I  show  you  how  ter  read  dat  same  riddle. 
Hit's  one  er  dem  ar  kinder  riddle,'  sez  ole  man  Rabbit, 
sezee,  'w'ich  'fo'  you  read  'er  you  got  ter  eat  a  bait  er 
honey,  en  I  done  got  my  eye  sot  on  de  place  whar  we  kin 
git  de  honey  at,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  ax  wharbouts  is  it,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
say  up  dar  in  ole  Brer  B'ar  cotton-patch,  whar  he  got  a 
whole  passel  er  bee-gums.  Brer  Fox,  he  'low,  he  did,  dat 
he  aint  got  no  sweet-toof  much,  yit  he  wanter  git  at  de 
innerds  er  dat  ar  riddle,  en  he  don't  keer  ef  he  do  go  'long. 

"  Dey  put  out,  dey  did,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  dey  come 
ter  ole  Brer  B'ar  bee-gums,  en  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n 
gun  um  a  rap  wid  he  walkin'-cane,  des  lak  folks  thumps 
water-millions  fer  ter  see  ef  dey  er  ripe.  He  tap  en  he  rap, 
en  bimeby  he  come  ter  one  un  um  w'ich  she  soun'  like 
she  plum  full,  en  den  he  go  'roun'  behime  it,  ole  Brer 
Rabbit  did,  en  he  up'n  say,  sezee: 

"'I'll  des  sorter  tilt  'er  up,  Brer  Fox,'  sezee,  'en  you 
kin  put  yo'  head  und'  dar  en  git  some  er  de  drippin's,' 
sezee. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tilt  her  up,  en,  sho'  'miff,  Brer  Fox, 
he  jam  he  head  un'need  de  gum.  Hit  make  me  laugh," 
Uncle  Remus  continued,  with  a  chuckle,  "  fer  ter  see  w'at 
a  fresh  man  is  Brer  Fox,  kaze  he  aint  no  sooner  stuck  he 
head  un'need  dat  ar  bee-gum,  dan  Brer  Rabbit  turnt  'er 
aloose,  en  down  she  come  —  Jcer-swosh  !  —  right  on  Brer 


BROTHER  RABBIT'S  RIDDLE  55 

Fox  neck,  en  dar  he  wuz.  Brer  Fox,  he  kick;  he  squeal; 
he  jump  ;  he  squall  ;  he  dance  ;  he  prance  ;  he  beg  ;  he 
pray  ;  yit  dar  he  wuz,  en  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  git  way  off, 
en  tu'n  'roun'  fer  ter  look  back,  he  see  Brer  Fox  des  a-wig- 
glin'  en  a-squ'min',  en  right  den  en  dar  Brer  Rabbit  gun 
one  ole-time  whoop,  en  des  put  out  fer  home. 

"W'en  he  git  dar,  de  fus'  man  he  see  wuz  Brer  Fox 
gran'daddy,  w'ich  folks  all  call  'im  Gran'sir'  Gray  Fox. 
W'en  Brer  Rabbit  see  'im,  he  say,  sezee : 

'  *  How  you  come  on,  Gran'sir'  Gray  Fox  ? '  • 

"'I  still  keeps  po'ly,  I'm  'blije  ter  you,  Brer  Rabbit,' 
sez  Gran'sir'  Gray  Fox,  sezee.  '  Is  you  seed  any  sign  er 
my  gran'son  dis  mawnin'  ? '  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  Rabbit  laugh  en  say  w'ich  him  en  Brer 
Fox  bin  a-ramblin'  'roun'  wid  one  er  'n'er  havin'  mo'  fun 
dan  w'at  a  man  kin  shake  a  stick  at. 

"We  bin  a-riggin'  up  riddles  en  a-readin'  un  um,'  sez 
Brer  Rabbit,  sezee.  '  Brer  Fox  is  settin'  off  some'rs  in  de 
bushes  right  now,  aimin'  fer  ter  read  one  w'at  I  gun  'im. 
I  '11  des  drap  you  one,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  w'ich, 
ef  you  kin  read  it,  hit  '11  take  you  right  spang  ter  whar  yo' 
gran'son  is,  en  you  can't  git  dar  none  too  soon,5  sez  Brer 
Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  Den  ole  Gran'sir'  Gray  Fox,  he  up'n  ax  w'at  is  it,  en 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  sing  out,  he  did : 

"'De  big  bird  rob  en  little  bird  sing ; 
De  big  bee  zoon  en  little  bee  sting, 
De  little  man  lead  en  big  hoss  f oiler  — 
Kin  you  tell  w'at 's  good  fer  a  head  in  a  holler  f9 


56  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Gran 'sir'  Gray  Fox,  he  tuck  a  pinch  er  snuff  en  cough 
easy  ter  hisse'f,  en  study  en  study,  but  he  aint  make  it  out, 
en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  laugh  en  sing: 

"'Bee-gum  mighty  big  fer  ter  make  Fox  collar, 
Kin  you  tell  w'at  's  good  }er  a  head  in  a  holler  ?' 

"Atter  so  long  a  time,  Gran'sir'  Gray  Fox  sorter  ketch 
a  glimpse  er  w'at  Brer  Rabbit  tryin'  ter  gin  'im,  en  he  tip 
Brer  Rabbit  good-day,  en  shuffle  on  fer  ter  hunt  up  he 
gran'son." 

"  And  did  he  find  him,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"Tooby  sho',  honey.  Brer  B'ar  year  de  racket  w'at 
Brer  Fox  kickin'  up,  en  he  go  down  dar  fer  ter  see  w'at 
de  marter  is.  Soon  ez  he  see  how  de  Ian'  lay,  co'se  he 
tuck  a  notion  dat  Brer  Fox  bin  robbin'  de  bee-gums,  en 
he  got  'im  a  han'ful  er  hick'ries,  Brer  B'ar  did,  en  he  let 
in  on  Brer  Fox  en  he  worn  he  jacket  scannerlous,  en  den 
he  tuck'n  tu'n  'im  loose;  but  'twa'n't  long  'fo'  all  de 
neighbors  git  wud  dat  Brer  Fox  bin  robbin'  Brer  B'ar 
bee-gums." 

XI 
HOW  MR.  ROOSTER  LOST  HIS  DINNER 

IT  seemed  that  the  rainy  season  had  set  in  in  earnest,  but 
the  little  boy  went  down  to  Uncle  Remus's  cabin  before 
dark.  In  some  mysterious  way,  it  appeared  to  the  child, 
the  gloom  of  twilight  fastened  itself  upon  the  dusky  clouds, 


HOW  MR.  ROOSTER  LOST  HIS  DINNER    57 

and  the  great  trees  without,  and  the  dismal  perspective 
beyond,  gradually  became  one  with  the  uarkness.  Uncle 
Remus  had  thoughtfully  placed  a  tin  pan  under  a  leak 
in  the  roof,  and  the  drip-drip-drip  of  the  water,  as  it  fell  in 
the  resonant  vessel,  made  a  not  unmusical  accompaniment 
to  the  storm. 

The  old  man  fumbled  around  under  his  bed,  and  pre 
sently  dragged  forth  a  large  bag  filled  with  lightwood  knots, 
which,  with  an  instinctive  economy  in  this  particular  di 
rection,  he  had  stored  away  for  an  emergency.  A  bright 
but  flickering  flame  was  the  result  of  this  timely  discovery, 
and  the  effect  it  produced  was  quite  in  keeping  with  all 
the  surroundings.  The  rain,  and  wind,  and  darkness  held 
sway  without,  while  within,  the  unsteady  lightwood  blaze 
seemed  to  rhyme  with  the  drip-drip-drip  in  the  pan. 
Sometimes  the  shadow  of  Uncle  Remus,  as  he  leaned  over 
the  hearth,  would  tower  and  fill  the  cabin,  and  again  it 
would  fade  and  disappear  among  the  swaying  and  swinging 
cobwebs  that  curtained  the  rafters. 

"Wen  bed-time  come,  honey,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  in  a 
soothing  tone,  "  I  '11  des  snatch  down  yo'  pa  buggy  umbreh" 
fum  up  dar  in  de  cornder,  des  lak  I  bin  a-doin',  en  I'll 
take'n  take  you  und'  my  arm  en  set  you  down  on  Miss 
Sally  h'a'th  des  ez  dry  en  ez  worn  ez  a  rat'-nes'  inside  a 
fodder-stack." 

At  this  juncture  'Tildy,  the  house-girl,  rushed  in  out  of 
the  rain  and  darkness  with  a  water-proof  cloak  and  an 
umbrella,  and  announced  her  mission  to  the  little  boy 
without  taking  time  to  catch  her  breath. 


58  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Miss  Sally  say  you  got  ter  come  right  back,"  she  ex 
claimed.  "Kaze  she  skeerd  lightnin'  gwine  strak  'roun' 
in  yer  'mongs*  deze  high  trees  some'rs." 

Uncle  Remus  rose  from  his  stooping  posture  in  front 
of  the  hearth  and  assumed  a  threatening  attitude. 

"  Well,  is  anybody  year  de  beat  er  dat ! "  was  his  in 
dignant  exclamation.  "Look  yer,  gal!  don't  you  come 
foolin*  'longer  me  —  now,  don't  you  do  it.  Kaze  ef  yer 
does,  I  '11  take'n  hit  you  a  clip  w'at  '11  put  you  ter  bed 
'fo'  bed-time  comes.  Dat's  w'at!" 

"  Lawdy !  w'at  I  done  gone  en  done  ter  Unk'  Remus 
now  ?  "  asked  'Tildy,  with  a  great  affectation  of  innocent 
ignorance. 

"  I  'm  gwine  ter  put  on  my  coat  en  take  dat  ar  umbrell', 
en  I  'm  gwine  right  straight  up  ter  de  big  house  en  ax  Miss 
Sally  ef  she  sont  dat  kinder  wud  down  yer,  w'en  she  know 
dat  chile  sittin'  yer  'longer  me.  I'm  gwine  ter  ax  her," 
continued  Uncle  Remus,  "  en  if  she  aint  sont  dat  wud,  den 
I'm  gwine  ter  fetch  myse'f  back.  Now,  you  des  watch 
my  motions." 

"Well,  I  year  Miss  Sally  say  she  'feard  lightnin'  gwine 
ter  strak  some'rs  on  de  place,"  said  'Tildy,  in  a  tone  which 
manifested  her  willingness  to  compromise  all  differences, 
"en  den  I  axt  'er  kin  I  come  down  yer,  en  den  she  say  I 
better  bring  deze  yer  cloak  en  pairsol." 

"Now  you  dun  brung  um,"  responded  Uncle  Remus, 
"you  des  better  put  um  in  dat  cheer  over  dar,  en  take 
yo'se'f  off.  Thunder  mighty  ap'  ter  hit  close  ter  whar 
deze  here  slick-head  niggers  is." 


HOW  MR.  ROOSTER  LOST  HIS  DINNER    59 

But  the  little  boy  finally  prevailed  upon  the  old  man  to 
allow  'Tildy  to  remain,  and  after  a  while  h3  put  matters  on 
a  peace  footing  by  inquiring  if  roosters  crowed  at  night 
when  it  was  raining. 

"Dat  dey  duz,"  responded  Uncle  Remus.  "Wet  er 
dry,  dey  flops  der  wings  en  wakes  up  all  de  neighbors. 
Law,  bless  my  soul ! "  he  exclaimed  suddenly,  "  w'at  make 
I  done  gone  en  fergit  'bout  Mr.  Rooster  ?  " 

"  What  about  him  ?  "  inquired  the  little  boy. 

"  One  time,  'way  back  yander,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
knocking  the  ashes  off  his  hands  and  knees,  "  dey  wuz  two 
plan'ations  right  'longside  one  er  'ne'r,  en  on  bofe  er  deze 
plan'ations  wuz  a  whole  passel  of  fowls.  Dey  wuz  mighty 
sociable  in  dem  days,  en  it  tu'n  out  dat  de  fowls  on  one 
plan'ation  gun  a  party,  w'ich  dey  sont  out  der  invites  ter 
de  fowls  on  de  't'er  plan'ation. 

"Wen  de  day  come,  Mr.  Rooster,  he  blow  his  hawn, 
he  did,  en  'semble  um  all  tergedder,  en  atter  dey  'semble 
dey  got  in  line.  Mr.  Rooster,  he  tuck  de  head,  en  atter 
'im  come  ole  lady  Hen  en  Miss  Pullet,  en  den  dar  wuz 
Mr.  Peafowl,  en  Mr.  Tukkey  Gobbler,  en  Miss  Guinny 
Hen,  en  Miss  Puddle  Duck,  en  all  de  balance  un  um. 
Dey  start  off  sorter  raggedy,  but  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  dey  all 
kotch  de  step,  en  den  dey  march  down  by  de  spring,  up 
thoo  de  hoss-lot  en  'cross  by  de  gin-house,  en 't  wa'n't  long 
'fo'  dey  git  ter  whar  de  frolic  wuz. 

"Dey  dance,  en  dey  play,  en  dey  sing.  Mo'  'speshu- 
ally  did  dey  play  en  sing  dat  ar  song  w'ich  it  run  on 
lak  dis: 


60  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

" '  Come  under,  come  under, 

My  honey,  my  love,  my  own  true  love  ; 
My  heart  bin  a-weepin 
Way  down  in  Galilee' 

"Dey  wuz  gwine  on  dis  a-way,  havin'  der  'musements, 
w'en,  bimeby,  ole  Mr.  Peafowl,  he  got  on  de  comb  er  de 
barn  en  blow  de  dinner-hawn.  Dey  all  wash  der  face  en 
han's  in  de  back  po'ch,  en  den  dey  went  in  ter  dinner. 
Wen  dey  git  in  dar,  dey  don't  see  nothin'  on  de  table  but 
a  great  big  pile  er  co'n-bread.  De  pones  was  pile  up  on 
pones,  en  on  de  top  wuz  a  great  big  ash-cake.  Mr.  Rooster, 
he  look  at  dis  en  he  tu'n  up  he  nose,  en  bimeby,  atter 
aw'ile,  out  he  strut.  Ole  Miss  Guinny  Hen,  she  watchin' 
Mr.  Rooster  motions,  en  w'en  she  see  dis,  she  take'n 
squall  out,  she  did : 

"'Pot-rack!  Pot-rack!  Mr.  Rooster  gone  back!  Pot- 
rack  !  Pot-rack  !  Mr.  Rooster  gone  back ! ' 

"Wid  dat  dey  all  make  a  great  ter-do.  Miss  Hen  en 
Miss  Pullet,  dey  cackle  en  squall,  Mr.  Gobbler,  he  gob 
ble,  en  Miss  Puddle  Duck,  she  shake  'er  tail  en  say, 
quickity -quack-quack.  But  Mr.  Rooster,  he  ruffle  up  he 
cape,  en  march  on  out. 

"  Dis  sorter  put  a  damper  on  de  yuthers,  but  'fo'  Mr. 
Rooster  git  outer  sight  en  year'n  dey  went  ter  wuk  on  de 
pile  w'at  wuz  'pariently  co'n-bread,  en,  lo  en  beholes, 
un'need  dem  pone  er  bread  wuz  a  whole  passel  er  meat 
en  greens,  en  bake'  taters,  en  bile'  turnips.  Mr.  Rooster, 
he  year  de  ladies  makin'  great  'miration,  en  he  stop  en 
look  thoo  de  crack,  en  dar  he  see  all  de  doin's  en  fixin's. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  BREAKS  UP  A  PARTY  61 

He  feel  mighty  bad,  Mr.  Rooster  did,  w'en  he  see  all  dis, 
en  de  yuther  fowls  dey  holler  en  ax  'im  fe*  ter  come  back, 
en  he  craw,  w'ich  it  mighty  empty,  likewise,  it  up'n  ax 
'im,  but  he  mighty  biggity  en  stuck  up,  en  he  strut  off, 
crowin'  ez  he  go;  but  he  'speunce  er  dat  time  done  las' 
him  en  all  er  his  fambly  down  ter  dis  day.  En  you  neenter 
take  my  wud  fer't,  ne'r,  kaze  ef  you'll  des  keep  yo'  eye 
open  en  watch,  you  '11  ketch  a  glimse  er  ole  Mr.  Rooster 
folks  scratchin'  whar  dey  'specks  ter  fine  der  rations,  en 
mo'  dan  dat,  dey  '11  scratch  wid  der  rations  in  plain  sight. 
Since  dat  time,  dey  aint  none  er  de  Mr.  Roosters  bin  fool' 
by  dat  w'at  dey  see  on  top.  Dey  aint  res'  twel  dey  see  w'at 
und'  dar.  Dey  '11  scratch  spite  er  all  creation." 

"Dat's  de  Lord's  truth!"  said  'Tildy,  with  unction. 
"  I  done  seed  um  wid  my  own  eyes.  Dat  I  is." 

This  was  'Tildy's  method  of  renewing  peaceful  relations 
with  Uncle  Remus,  but  the  old  man  was  disposed  to  resist 
the  attempt. 

"You  better  be  up  yander  washin'  up  dishes,  stidder 
hoppin'  down  yer  wid  er  whole  packet  er  stuff  w'at  Miss 
Sally  aint  dreamp  er  sayin'." 


XII 
BROTHER  RABBIT  BREAKS  UP  A  PARTY 

As  long  as  Uncle  Remus  allowed  'Tildy  to  remain  in  the 
cabin,  the  little  boy  was  not  particularly  interested  in  pre 
venting  the  perfunctory  abuse  which  the  old  man  might 


62  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

feel  disposed  to  bestow  upon  the  complacent  girl.  The 
truth  is,  the  child's  mind  was  occupied  with  the  episode  in 
the  story  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Ram  which  treats  of  the  style 
in  which  this  romantic  old  wag  put  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolf  to 
flight  by  playing  a  tune  upon  his  fiddle.  The  little  boy  was 
particularly  struck  with  this  remarkable  feat,  as  many  a 
youngster  before  him  had  been,  and  he  made  bold  to  recur 
to  it  again  by  asking  Uncle  Remus  for  all  the  details.  It 
was  plain  to  the  latter  that  the  child  regarded  Mr.  Ram 
as  the  typical  hero  of  all  the  animals,  and  this  was  by  no 
means  gratifying  to  the  old  man.  He  answered  the  little 
boy's  questions  as  well  as  he  could,  and,  when  nothing 
more  remained  to  be  said  about  Mr.  Ram,  he  settled  him 
self  back  in  his  chair  and  resumed  the  curious  history  of 
Brother  Rabbit: 

"  Co'se  Mr.  Ram  mighty  smart  man.  I  aint  'spute  dat; 
but  needer  Mr.  Ram  ner  yet  Mr.  Lam  is  soon  creeturs  lak 
Brer  Rabbit.  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  he  tuck'n  skeer  off 
Brer  Wolf  en  his  ole  'oman  wid  his  fiddle,  but,  bless  yo' 
soul,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  he  gone  en  done  wuss'n  dat." 

"What  did  Brother  Rabbit  do ?"   asked  the  little  boy. 

"One  time,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n 
ax  some  er  de  yuther  creeturs  ter  he  house.  He  ax  Brer 
B'ar,  en  Brer  Wolf,  en  Brer  'Coon,  but  he  aint  ax  Brer 
Rabbit.  All  de  same,  Brer  Rabbit  got  win'  un  it,  en  he 
'low  dat  ef  he  don't  go,  he  'speck  he  have  much  fun  ez 
de  nex'  man. 

"  De  creeturs  w'at  git  de  invite,  dey  tuck'n  'semble  at 
Brer  Fox  house,  en  Brer  Fox,  he  ax  um  in  en  got  um  cheers, 


BROTHER  RABBIT  BREAKS  UP  A  PARTY  63 

en  dey  sot  dar  en  laugh  en  talk,  twel,  bimeby,  Brer  Fox,  he 
fotch  out  a  bottle  er  dram  en  lay  'er  out  on  de  side-bode,  en 
den  he  sorter  step  back  en  say,  sezee: 

"'Des  step  up,  gentermens,  en  he'p  yo'se'f,'  en  you 
better  b'lieve  dey  he'p  derse'f. 

"  Wiles  dey  wuz  drinkin'  en  drammin'  en  gwine  on,  w'at 
you  'speck  Brer  Rabbit  doin'  ?  You  des  well  make  up  yo' 
min'  dat  Brer  Rabbit  monst'us  busy,  kase  he  'uz  sailin' 
'roun'  fixin'  up  his  tricks.  Long  time  'fo'  dat,  Brer  Rabbit 
had  been  at  a  bobbycue  whar  dey  was  a  muster,  en  w'iles 
all  de  folks  'uz  down  at  de  spring  eatin'  dinner,  Brer  Rab 
bit  he  crope  up  en  run  off  wid  one  er  de  drums.  Dey  wuz  a 
big  drum  en  a  little  drum,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  snatch  up  de 
littles'  one  en  run  home. 

"  Now,  den,  w'en  he  year  'bout  de  yuther  creeturs  gwine 
ter  Brer  Fox  house,  w'at  do  Brer  Rabbit  do  but  git  out  dis 
rattlin'  drum  en  make  de  way  down  de  road  todes  whar  dey 
is.  He  tuk  dat  drum,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  with  great 
elation  of  voice  and  manner,  "  en  he  went  down  de  road 
todes  Brer  Fox  house,  en  he  make  'er  talk  like  thunner 
mix  up  wid  hail.  Hit  talk  lak  dis: 

' '  Diddybum,  diddybum  t  diddybum-bum-bum  —  diddy- 
bum  I  ' 

"  De  creeturs,  dey  'uz  a-drinkin',  en  a-drammin',  en 
a-gwine  on  at  a  terrible  rate,  en  dey  aint  year  de  racket, 
but  all  de  same,  yer  come  Brer  Rabbit : 

' '  Diddybum,  diddybum,  diddybum-bum-bum  —  diddy- 
bum  !  ' 

"  Bimeby  Brer  'Coon,  w'ich  he  allers  got  one  year  hung 


64  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

out  fer  de  news,  he  up'n  ax  Brer  Fox  w'at  dat,  en  by  dat 
time  all  de  creeturs  stop  en  lissen  ;  but  all  de  same,  yer 
come  Brer  Rabbit : 

* '  Diddybum,  diddybum,  diddybum-bum-bum  —  diddy- 
bum  !  ' 

"De  creeturs  dey  keep  on  lis'nin',  en  Brer  Rabbit  keep 
on  gittin'  nigher,  twel  bimeby  Brer  'Coon  retch  und'  de 
cheer  fer  he  hat,  en  say,  sezee: 

' '  Well,  gents,  I  'speck  I  better  be  gwine.  I  tole  my  ole 
'oman  dat  I  won't  be  gone  a  minnit,  en  yer  't  is  'way  'long 
in  de  day.' 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  'Coon,  he  skip  out,  but  he  aint  git  much 
furder  dan  de  back  gate,  'fo'  yer  come  all  de  yuther  cree 
turs  like  dey  'uz  runnin'  a  foot-race,  en  ole  Brer  Fox  wuz 
wukkin'  in  de  lead." 

"  Dar,  now ! "   exclaimed  'Tildy,  with  great  fervor. 

"Yasser!  dar  dey  wuz,  en  dar  dey  went,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus.  "  Dey  tuck  nigh  cuts,  en  dey  scramble  over 
one  er  'n'er,  en  dey  aint  res'  twel  dey  git  in  de  bushes. 

"  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  came  on  down  de  road  —  diddy 
bum,  diddybum,  diddybum-bum-bum  —  en  bless  gracious ! 
w'en  he  git  ter  Brer  Fox  house  dey  aint  nobody  dar.  Brer 
Rabbit  is  dat  owdacious,  dat  he  hunt  all  'roun'  twel  he  fine 
de  a'r-hole  er  de  drum,  en  he  put  his  mouf  ter  dat  en  sing 
out,  sezee: 

' '  Is  dey  anybody  home  ? '  en  den  he  answer  hisse'f , 
sezee,  'Law,  no,  honey  —  folks  all  gone.' 

"  Wid  dat,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  break  loose  en  laugh,  he  did, 
fit  ter  kill  hisse'f,  en  den  he  slam  Brer  Fox  front  gate  wide 


BROTHER  RABBIT  BREAKS  UP  A  PARTY    65 

open,  en  march  up  ter  de  house.  Wen  he  git  dar,  he  kick 
de  do'  open  en  hail  Brer  Fox,  but  nobody  aint  dar,  en  Brer 
Rabbit  he  walk  in  en  take  a  cheer,  en  make  hisse'f  at  home 
wid  puttin'  his  foots  on  de  sofy  en  spittin'  on  de  flo'. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  aint  sot  dar  long  'fo'  he  ketch  a  whiff  er  de 
drain  — 

"You  year  dat?"  exclaimed  'Tildy,  with  convulsive 
admiration. 

"  —  'Fo'  he  ketch  a  whiff  er  de  dram,  en  den  he  see  it  on 
de  side-bode,  en  he  step  up  en  drap  'bout  a  tumbeler  full 
some'rs  down  in  de  neighborhoods  er  de  goozle.  Brer  Rab 
bit  mighty  lak  some  folks  I  knows.  He  tuck  one  tumbeler 
full,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  tuck  'n'er'n,  en  w'en  a  man  do 
dis  a-way,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  somewhat  apologeti 
cally,  "he  bleedz  ter  git  drammy." 

"  Truth,  too ! "  said  'Tildy,  by  way  of  hearty  confirma 
tion. 

"  All  des  time  de  yuther  creeturs  wuz  down  in  de  bushes 
lissenin'  fer  de  diddybum,  en  makin'  ready  fer  ter  light  out 
fum  dar  at  de  drop  uv  a  hat.  But  dey  aint  year  no  mo'  fuss, 
en  bimeby  Brer  Fox,  he  say  he  gwine  back  en  look  atter 
he  plunder,  en  de  yuther  creeturs  say  dey  b'leeve  dey  '11  go 
'long  wid  'im.  Dey  start  out,  dey  did,  en  dey  crope  todes 
Brer  Fox  house,  but  dey  crope  mighty  keerful,  en  I  boun' 
ef  somebody  'd  'a'  shuck  a  bush,  dem  ar  creeturs  'ud  'a' 
nat'ally  to'  up  de  ye'th  gittin'  'way  fum  dar.  Yit  dey  still 
aint  year  no  fuss,  en  dey  keep  on  creepin'  twel  dey  git  in 
de  house. 

"  W'en  dey  git  in  dar,  de  fus'  sight  dey  see  wuz  ole  Brer 


66  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Rabbit  stannin'  up  by  de  dram-bottle  mixin'  up  a  toddy,  en 
he  wa'n't  so  stiff-kneed  n'er,  kase  he  sorter  swage  fum  side 
ter  side,  en  he  look  lak  he  mighty  limbersome,  w'ich,  good 
ness  knows,  a  man  bleedz  ter  be  limbersome  w'en  he  drink 
dat  kinder  licker  w'at  Brer  Fox  perwide  fer  dem  creeturs. 

"W'en  Brer  Fox  see  Brer  Rabbit  makin'  free  wid  he 
doin's  dat  a-way,  w'at  you  'speck  he  do  ? "  inquired  Uncle 
Remus,  with  the  air  of  one  seeking  general  information. 

"I  'speck  he  cusst,"  said  'Tildy,  who  was  apt  to  take  a 
vividly  practical  view  of  matters. 

"He  was  glad,"  said  the  little  boy,  "because  he  had  a 
good  chance  to  catch  Brother  Rabbit." 

"Tooby  sho'  he  wuz,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  heartily 
assenting  to  the  child's  interpretation  of  the  situation: 
"tooby  sho'  he  wuz.  He  stan'  dar,  Brer  Fox  did,  en  he 
watch  Brer  Rabbit  motions.  Bimeby  he  holler  out,  sezee: 

" '  Ah  yi ! l  Brer  Rabbit ! '  sezee.  '  Many  a  time  is  you 
made  yo'  'scape,  but  now  I  got  you ! '  En  wid  dat,  Brer  Fox 
en  de  yuther  creeturs  cloze  in  on  Brer  Rabbit. 

"Seem  like  I  done  tole  you  dat  Brer  Rabbit  done  gone 
en  tuck  mo'  dram  dan  w'at  'uz  good  fer  he  wholesome. 
Yit  he  head  aint  swim  so  bad  dat  he  dunner  w'at  he  doin', 
en  time  he  lay  eyes  on  Brer  Fox,  he  know  he  done  got  in 
close  quarters.  Soon  ez  he  see  dis,  Brer  Rabbit  make  like 
he  bin  down  in  de  cup  mo'  deeper  dan  w'at  he  is,  en  he 
stagger  'roun'  like  town  gal  stannin'  in  a  batteau,  en  he 
seem  lak  he  des  ez  limber  ez  a  wet  rag.  He  stagger  up  ter 

1  A  corruption  of  "aye,  aye."  It  is  used  as  an  expression  of  triumph 
and  its  employment  in  this  connection  is  both  droll  and  picturesque. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  BREAKS  UP  A  PARTY    67 

Brer  Fox,  he  did,  en  he  roll  he  eyeballs  'roun',  en  slap  'im 
on  he  back  en  ax  'im  how  he  ma.  Den  w'en  he  see  de 
yuther  creeturs,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "he  holler  out, 
he  did: 

1 '  Vents  yo'  uppance,  gentermens !  Vents  yo'  uppance ! l 
Ef  you  '11  des  gimme  han'-roomance  en  come  one  at  a  time, 
de  tussle  '11  las'  longer.  How  you  all  come  on,  nohow  ?  * 
sezee. 

"  Ole  Brer  Rabbit  talk  so  kuse  dat  de  yuther  creeturs 
have  mo'  fun  dan  w'at  you  k'n  shake  a  stick  at,  but  bimeby 
Brer  Fox  say  dey  better  git  down  ter  business,  en  den  dey 
all  cloze  in  on  Brer  Rabbit,  en  dar  he  wuz. 

"  In  dem  days,  ole  man  B'ar  wuz  a  jedge  'mongs*  de 
creeturs,  en  dey  all  ax  'im  w'at  dey  gwine  do  'long  wid  Brer 
Rabbit,  en  Jedge  B'ar,  he  put  on  his  specks,  en  cle'r  up 
his  th'oat,  en  say  dat  de  bes'  way  ter  do  wid  a  man  w'at 
kick  up  sech  a  racket,  en  run  de  neighbors  outer  der  own 
house,  en  go  in  dar  en  level 2  on  de  pantry,  is  ter  take  'im 
out  en  drown  'im;  en  ole  Brer  Fox,  w'ich  he  settin'  on  de 
jury,  he  up'n  smack  he  hands  togedder,  en  cry,  en  say, 
sezee,  dat  atter  dis  he  bleedz  ter  b'leeve  dat  Jedge  B'ar  done 
got  ail-under  holt  on  de  lawyer-books,  kase  dat  'zackly 
w'at  dey  say  w'en  a  man  level  on  he  neighbor  pantry. 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  out  he  skeerd,  en  he  holler 

1  Southern  readers  will  recognize  this  and  "  han'-roomance  "  as  terms 
used  by  negroes  in  playing-  marbles,  —  a  favorite  game  on  the  plantations 
Sunday  afternoons.    These  terms  were  curt  and  expressive  enough  to  gain 
currency  among  the  whites. 

2  Levy. 


68  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

en  cry,  en  beg  urn,  in  de  name  er  goodness,  don't  fling  'im 
in  de  spring  branch,  kaze  dey  all  know  he  dunner  how  ter 
swim;  but  ef  dey  bleedz  fer  ter  pitch  'im  in,  den  for  mussy 
sake  gin'  'im  a  walkin'-cane,  so  he  kin  have  sumpin'  ter 
hoi'  ter  w'iles  he  drownin'. 

"  Ole  Brer  B'ar  scratch  his  head  en  say,  sezee,  dat,  fur 
ez  his  'membunce  go  back,  he  aint  come  'cross  nothin'  in 
de  lawyer-book  ter  de  contraries  er  dat,  en  den  dey  all  'gree 
dat  Brer  Rabbit  kin  have  a  walkin'-cane. 

"Wid  dat,  dey  ketch  up  Brer  Rabbit  en  put  'im  in  a 
wheelborrow  en  kyar  'im  down  ter  de  branch,  en  fling 
'im  in." 

"Eh-eh!"  exclaimed  'Tildy,  with  well-feigned  aston 
ishment. 

"Dey  fling  'im  in,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "en  Brer 
Rabbit  light  on  he  foots,  same  ez  a  tomcat,  en  pick  his 
way  out  by  de  helps  er  de  walkin'-cane.  De  water  wuz  dat 
shaller  dat  it  don't  mo'n  come  over  Brer  Rabbit  slipper, 
en  w'en  he  git  out  on  t'er  side,  he  holler  back,  sezee : 

"'So  long,  Brer  Fox!'" 


XIII 


BROTHER  FOX,  BROTHER  RABBIT,  AND  KING 
DEER'S  DAUGHTER 

NOTWITHSTANDING  Brother  Rabbit's  success  with  the 
drum,  the  little  boy  was  still  inclined  to  refer  to  Mr. 
Benjamin  Ram  and  his  fiddle;  but  Uncle  Remus  was  not, 


BROTHER  FOX  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT  69 

by  any  means,  willing  that  such  an  ancient  vagabond  as 
Mr.  Ram  should  figure  as  a  hero,  and  he  said  that,  while 
it  was  possible  that  Brother  Rabbit  was  no  great  hand  with 
the  fiddle,  he  was  a  drummer,  and  a  capital  singer  to  boot. 
Furthermore,  Uncle  Remus  declared  that  Brother  Rabbit 
could  perform  upon  the  quills,1  an  accomplishment  to 
which  none  of  the  other  animals  could  lay  claim.  There 
was  a  time,  too,  the  old  man  pointedly  suggested,  when 
the  romantic  rascal  used  his  musical  abilities  to  win  the 
smiles  of  a  nice  young  lady  of  quality  —  no  less  a  personage, 
indeed,  than  King  Deer's  daughter.  As  a  matter  of  course, 
the  little  boy  was  anxious  to  hear  the  particulars,  and 
Uncle  Remus  was  in  nowise  loath  to  give  them. 

"  Wen  you  come  ter  ax  me  'bout  de  year  en  day  er  de 
mont',"  said  the  old  man,  cunningly  arranging  a  defence 
against  criticism,  "  den  I  'm  done,  kaze  de  almanick  w'at 
dey  got  in  dem  times  won't  pass  muster  deze  days,  but,  let 
'lone  dat,  I  'speck  dey  aint  had  none  yit;  en  ef  dey  is,  dey 
aint  none  bin  handed  down  ter  Remus. 

"Well,  den,  some  time  'long  in  dar,  ole  Brer  Fox  en 
Brer  Rabbit  got  ter  flyin'  'roun'  King  Deer  daughter. 
Dey  tells  me  she  'uz  a  monst'us  likely  gal,  en  I  'speck 
may  be  she  wuz;  leas'ways,  Brer  Fox,  he  hanker  atter  'er, 
en  likewise  Brer  Rabbit,  he  hanker  atter  'er.  Ole  King 
Deer  look  lak  he  sorter  lean  todes  Brer  Fox,  kaze  ter  a 
settle  man  like  him,  hit  seem  lak  dat  Brer  Fox  kin  stir 
'roun'  en  keep  de  pot  a-b'ilin',  mo'  speshually  bein  's  he 

1  The  veritable  Pan's  pipes.  A  simple  but  very  effective  musical  instru 
ment  made  of  reeds,  and  in  great  favor  on  the  plantations. 


70  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

de  bigges'.  Hit  go  on  dis  a-way  twel  hardly  a  day  pass  dat 
one  er  de  yuther  er  dem  creeturs  don't  go  sparklin'  'roun' 
King  Deer  daughter,  en  it  got  so  atter  w'ile  dat  all  day  long 
Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Fox  keep  de  front  gate  a-skreakin', 
en  King  Deer  daughter  aint  ska'cely  had  time  fer  ter  eat  a 
meal  vittels  in  no  peace  er  min'. 

"In  dem  days,"  pursued  Uncle  Remus,  in  a  tone  of 
unmistakable  historical  fervor,  "w'en  a  creetur  go  a- 
courtin'  dey  wa'n't  none  er  dish  yer  bokay  doin's  mix'  up 
'longer  der  co'tship,  en  dey  aint  cut  up  no  capers  like 
folks  does  now.  Stidder  scollopin'  'roun'  en  bowiri'  en 
scrapin',  dey  des  go  right  straight  atter  de  gal.  Ole  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  mouter  had  some  bubby-blossoms  1  wrop  up  in 
his  hankcher,  but  mostly  him  en  Brer  Fox  'ud  des  drap  in 
on  King  Deer  daughter  en  'gin  ter  cas'  sheep-eyes  at  'er 
time  dey  sot  down  en  cross  der  legs." 

"En  I  bet,"  said  'Tildy,  by  way  of  comment,  and 
looking  as  though  she  wanted  to  blush,  "  dat  dey  wa'n't 
'shame',  nuther." 

"  Dey  went  'long  dis  a-way,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
"twel  it  'gun  ter  look  sorter  skittish  wid  Brer  Rabbit, 
kaze  ole  King  Deer  done  good  ez  say,  sezee,  dat  he  gwine 
ter  take  Brer  Fox  inter  de  fambly.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low, 
he  did,  dat  dis  aint  gwine  ter  do,  en  he  study  en  study  how 
he  gwine  ter  cut  Brer  Fox  out. 

"Las',  one  day,  w'iles  he  gwine  thoo  King  Deer  pas- 
tur'  lot,  he  up  wid  a  rock  en  kilt  two  er  King  Deer  goats. 
W'en  he  git  ter  de  house,  he  ax  King  Deer  daughter 

1  A  species  of  sweet-shrub  growing  wild  in  the  South. 


BROTHER  FOX  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT    71 

whar'bouts  her  pa,  en  she  up'n  say  she  go  call  'im,  en  w'en 
Brer  Rabbit  see  'im,  he  ax  w'en  de  weddin'  tuck  place,  en 
King  Deer  ax  w'ich  weddin',  en  Brer  Rabbit  say  de  wed 
din'  'twix'  Brer  Fox  en  King  Deer  daughter.  Wid  dat,  ole 
King  Deer  ax  Brer  Rabbit  w'at  make  he  go  on  so,  en  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  up'n  'spon'  dat  he  see  Brer  Fox  makin'  mon- 
st'us  free  wid  de  fambly,  gwine  'roun'  chunkin'  de  chickens 
en  killin'  up  de  goats. 

"Ole  King  Deer  strak  he  walkin'-cane  down  'pon  de 
flo',  en  'low  dat  he  don't  put  no  'pennunce  in  no  sech  tale 
lak  dat,  en  den  Brer  Rabbit  tell  'im  dat  ef  he  '11  des  take  a 
walk  down  in  de  pastur'  lot,  he  kin  see  de  kyarkiss  er  de 
goats.  Ole  King  Deer,  he  put  out,  en  bimeby  he  come 
back,  en  he  'low  he  gwine  ter  settle  marters  wid  Brer  Fox 
ef  it  take  'im  a  niont'. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  say  he  a  good  frien'  ter  Brer  Fox,  en  he 
aint  got  no  room  ter  talk  'bout  'im,  but  yit  w'en  he  see  'im 
'stroyin'  King  Deer  goats  en  chunkin'  at  his  chickens,  en 
rattlin'  on  de  palin's  fer  ter  make  de  dog  bark,  he  bleedz 
ter  come  lay  de  case  'fo'  de  fambly. 

"'En  mo'n  dat,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'I'm  de 
man  w'at  kin  make  Brer  Fox  come  en  stan'  right  at  de 
front  gate  en  tell  you  dat  he  is  kill  dem  goat;  en  ef  you 
des  wait  twel  ter-night,  I  won't  ax  you  ter  take  my  wud,' 
sezee. 

"  King  Deer  say  ef  Brer  Rabbit  man  'nuff  ter  do  dat, 
den  he  kin  git  de  gal  en  thanky,  too.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rab 
bit  jump  up  en  crack  he  heels  tergedder,  en  put  out  fer 
ter  fine  Brer  Fox.  He  aint  git  fur  'fo'  he  see  Brer  Fox 


72  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

comin'  down  de  road  all  primp  up.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sing 
out,  he  did: 

"  *  Brer  Foxy,  whar  you  gwine  ? ' 

"En  Brer  Fox,  he  holler  back: 

"  *  Go  'way,  Rab ;  don't  bodder  wid  me.  I  'm  gwine  fer 
ter  see  my  gal.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  laugh  'way  down  in  his  stomach,  but 
he  don't  let  on,  en  atter  some  mo'  chat,  he  up'n  say  dat 
ole  King  Deer  done  tell  'im  'bout  how  Brer  Fox  gwine  ter 
marry  he  daughter,  en  den  he  tell  Brer  Fox  dat  he  done 
promise  King  Deer  dat  dey  'd  drap  'roun'  ter-night  en  gin 
'im  some  music. 

"En  I  up'n  tole  'im,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'dat  de 
music  w'at  we  can't  make  aint  wruth  makin',  —  me  wid  Luy 
quills,  en  you  wid  yo'  tr' angle.1  De  nex'  motion  we  makes,' 
sezee,  *  we  '11  hatter  go  off  some'rs  en  practise  up  on  de 
song  we'll  sing,  en  I  got  one  yer  dat '11  tickle  um  dat  bad,' 
sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  twel  I  lay  dey  '11  fetch  out  a  hunk 
er  dat  big  chicken-pie  w'at  I  see  um  puttin'  in  de  pot  des 
now,'  sezee. 

"  In  a  'casion  lak  dis,  Brer  Fox  say  he  de  ve'y  man  w'at 
Brer  Rabbit  huntin',  en  he  'low  dat  he  '11  des  'bout  put  off 
payin'  he  call  ter  King  Deer  house  en  go  wid  Brer  Rabbit 
fer  ter  practise  on  dat  song. 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  git  he  quills  en  Brer  Fox  he  git 
he  tr' angle,  en  dey  went  down  on  de  spring  branch,  en 
dar  dey  sing  en  play,  twel  dey  git  it  all  by  heart.  Ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  up  de  song  he  own  se'f,  en  he  fix  it 

1  Triangle. 


BROTHER  FOX  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT  73 

so  dat  he  sing  de  call,  lak  de  captain  er  de  co'n-pile,  en 
ole  Brer  Fox,  he  hatter  sing  de  answer."  1 

At  this  point  Uncle  Remus  paused  to  indulge  in  one  of 
his  suggestive  chuckles,  and  then  proceeded: 

"  Don't  talk  'bout  no  songs  ter  me.  Gentermens !  dat 
'uz  a  funny  song  fum  de  wud  go.  Bimeby,  w'en  dey  prac 
tise  long  time,  dey  gits  up  en  goes  'roun'  in  de  neighbor 
hoods  er  King  Deer  house,  en  w'en  night  come  dey  tuck 
der  stan'  at  de  front  gate,  en  atter  all  got  still,  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  gun  de  wink,  en  dey  broke  loose  wid  der  music.  Dey 
played  a  chune  er  two  on  de  quills  en  tr'angle,  en  den  dey 
got  ter  de  song.  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  got  de  call,  en  he 
open  up  lak  dis: 

"'Some  folks  pile  up  mo'n  dey  kin  tote, 
En  dat  w'at  de  marter  wid  King  Deer  goat,' 

en  den  Brer  Fox,  he  make  answer: 

' '  Daf  s  so,  dat 's  so,  en  I  'm  glad  dat  it  's  so !  ' 

Den  de  quills  en  de  tr'angle,  dey  come  in,  en  den  Brer 
Rabbit  pursue  on  wid  de  call : 

" '  Some  kill  sheep  en  some  kill  shote, 
But  Brer  Fox  kill  King  Deer  goat,' 

en  den  Brer  Fox,  he  jine  in  wid  de  answer: 

" '  7  did,  dat  I  did,  en  I  'm  glad  dat  I  did !  ' 

En  des  'bout  dat  time  King  Deer,  he  walk  outer  de  gate 
en  hit  Brer  Fox  a  clip  wid  his  walkin'-cane,  en  he  foller  it 

1  That  is  to  say,  Brother  Rabbit  sang  the  air  and  Brother  Fox  the 
refrain. 


74  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

up  wid  'n'er'n,  dat  make  Brer  Fox  fa'rly  squall,  en  you  des 
better  b'lieve  he  make  tracks  'way  fum  dar,  en  de  gal  she 
come  out,  en  dey  ax  Brer  Rabbit  in." 

"Did  Brother  Rabbit  marry  King  Deer's  daughter, 
Uncle  Remus  ? "  asked  the  little  boy. 

"  Now,  den,  honey,  you  're  crowdin'  me,"  responded  the 
old  man.  "Dey  ax  'im  in,  en  dey  gun  'im  a  great  big 
hunk  er  chicken-pie,  but  I  won't  make  sho'  dat  he  tuck'n 
marry  de  gal.  De  p'int  wid  me  is  de  way  Brer  Rabbit  run 
Brer  Fox  off  fum  dar." 


XIV 


BROTHER    TERRAPIN    DECEIVES    BROTHER 
BUZZARD 

THERE  was  a  pause  here,  which  was  finally  broken  by 
'Tildy,  whose  remark  was  in  the  shape  of  a  very  undigni 
fied  yawn.  Uncle  Remus  regarded  her  for  a  moment  with 
an  expression  of  undisguised  scorn,  which  quickly  ex 
pressed  itself  in  words : 

"  Ef  you  'd  er  bin  outer  de  house  dat  whack,  you  'd  er 
tuck  us  all  in.  Pity  dey  aint  some  place  er  'n'er  whar  deze 
yer  trollops  kin  go  en  1'arn  manners." 

'Tildy,  however,  ignored  the  old  man,  and,  with  a  toss 
of  her  head,  said  to  the  little  boy  in  a  cool,  exasperating 
tone,  employing  a  pet  name  she  had  heard  the  child's 
mother  use: 

"  Well,  Pinx,  I  'speck  we  better  go.    De  rain  done  mos* 


BRO.  TERRAPIN  DECEIVES  BRO.  BUZZARD    75 

hilt  up  now,  en  bimeby  de  stars  '11  be  a-shinin'.  Miss  Sally 
lookin'  fer  you  right  now." 

"You  better  go  whar  you  gwine,  you  triflin'  huzzy, 
you!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus.  "You  better  go  git  yo' 
Jim  Crow  kyard  en  straighten  out  dem  wrops  in  yo'  ha'r. 
I  allers  year  w'ite  folks  say  you  better  keep  yo'  eye  on  nig 
gers  w'at  got  der  ha'r  wrop  up  in  strings.  Now  I  done 
gun  you  fa'r  warnin's." 

"Uncle  Rernus,"  said  the  little  boy,  when  the  old  man's 
wrath  had  somewhat  subsided,  "why  do  they  call  them 
Jim  Crow  cards  ?  " 

"  I  be  bless  ef  I  know,  honey,  'ceppin'  it 's  kaze  dey  er 
de  onliest  machine  w'at  deze  yer  low-life  niggers  kin  on- 
comb  der  kinks  wid.  Now,  den,"  continued  the  old  man, 
straightening  up  and  speaking  with  considerable  anima 
tion,  "  dat  'min's  me  'bout  a  riddle  w'at  been  runnin'  'roun' 
in  my  head.  En  dat  riddle  —  it's  de  outdoin'es'  riddle 
w'at  I  mos'  ever  year  tell  un.  Hit  go  lak  dis:  Ef  he  come, 
he  don't  come;  ef  he  don't  come,  he  come.  Now,  I  boun' 
you  can't  tell  w'at  is  dat." 

After  some  time  spent  in  vain  guessing,  the  little  boy 
confessed  that  he  did  n't  know. 

"Hit's  crow  en  co'n,"  said  Uncle  Remus  senten- 
tiously. 

"  Crow  and  corn,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 

"Co'se,  honey.  Crow  come,  de  co'n  don't  come;  crow 
don't  come,  den  de  co'n  come." 

"Dat's  so,"  said  'Tildy.  "I  done  see  urn  pull  up  co'n, 
en  I  done  see  co'n  grow  w'at  dey  don't  pull  up." 


76  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

If  'Tildy  thought  to  propitiate  Uncle  Remus,  she  was 
mistaken.  He  scowled  at  her,  and  addressed  himself  to 
the  little  boy: 

"  De  Crow,  he  mighty  close  kin  ter  de  Buzzud,  en  dat 
puts  me  in  min'  dat  we  aint  bin  a-keepin'  up  wid  ole  Brer 
Buzzud  close  ez  we  might  er  done. 

"Wat  de  case  mout  be  deze  days,  I  aint  a-sayin',  but, 
in  dem  times,  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  love  honey  mo'  samer 
dan  Brer  B'ar,  but  he  wuz  dat  flat-footed  dat,  w'en  he  fine 
a  bee-tree,  he  can't  climb  it,  en  he  go  so  slow  dat  he  can't 
hardly  fine  um.  Bimeby,  one  day,  w'en  he  gwine  'long 
down  de  road  des  a-honin'  atter  honey,  who  should  he 
meet  but  ole  Brer  Buzzud. 

"  Dey  shuck  han's  mighty  sociable  en  ax  'bout  de  news 
er  de  neighborhoods,  en  den,  atter  w'ile,  Brer  Tarrypin 
say  ter  ole  Brer  Buzzud,  sezee,  dat  he  wanter  go  inter 
cahoots  wid  'im  'longer  gittin'  honey,  en  'twa'n't  long  'fo' 
dey  struck  a  trade.  Brer  Buzzud  wuz  ter  fly  'roun'  en 
look  fer  de  bee-tree,  en  Brer  Tarrypin  he  wuz  ter  creep 
en  crawl,  en  hunt  on  de  groun'. 

"  Dey  start  out,  dey  did,  ole  Brer  Buzzud  sailin'  'roun' 
in  de  elements,  en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  shufflin'  en  shamblin' 
on  de  groun'.  'Mos'  de  ve'y  fus'  fiel'  w'at  he  come  ter, 
Brer  Tarrypin  strak  up  wid  a  great  big  bumbly-bee  nes' 
in  de  groun'.  He  look  'roun',  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  did,  en 
bimeby  he  stick  he  head  in  en  tas'e  de  honey,  en  den  he 
pull  it  out  en  look  all  'roun'  fer  ter  see  ef  he  kin  ketch  a 
glimpse  er  Brer  Buzzud;  but  Brer  Buzzud  don't  seem  lak 
he  nowhar.  Den  Brer  Tarrypin  say  to  hisse'f,  sezee,  dat 


BRO.  TERRAPIN  DECEIVES  BRO.  BUZZARD     77 

he  'speck  dat  bumbly-bee  honey  aint  de  kinder  honey  w'at 
dey  been  talkin'  'bout,  en  dey  aint  no  greai;  shakes  er  honey 
dar  nohow.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Tarrypin  crope  inter  de  hole 
en  gobble  up  de  las'  drop  er  de  bumbly-bee  honey  by  he 
own-alone  se'f.  Atter  he  done  make  'way  wid  it,  he  come 
out,  he  did,  en  he  whirl  in  en  lick  it  all  off'n  his  footses,  so 
ole  Brer  Buzzud  can't  tell  dat  he  done  bin  git  a  mess  er 
honey. 

"  Den  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  stretch  out  he  neck  en  try  ter 
lick  de  honey  off'n  he  back,  but  he  neck  too  short;  en  he 
try  ter  scrape  it  off  up  'g'in'  a  tree,  but  it  don't  come  off; 
en  den  he  waller  on  de  groun',  but  still  it  don't  come  off. 
Den  old  Brer  Tarrypin  jump  up,  en  say  ter  hisse'f  dat 
he  '11  des  'bout  rack  off  home,  en  w'en  Brer  Buzzud  come 
he  kin  lie  on  he  back  en  say  he  sick,  so  ole  Brer  Buzzud 
can't  see  de  honey. 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  start  off,  he  did,  but  he  happen  ter  look 
up,  en,  lo  en  beholes,  dar  wuz  Brer  Buzzud  huv'rin'  right 
spang  over  de  spot  whar  he  is.  Brer  Tarrypin  know  Brer 
Buzzud  bleedz  ter  see  'im  ef  he  start  off  home,  en  mo'n 
dat,  he  know  he  be  fine  out  ef  he  don't  stir  'roun'  en  do 
sump'n'  mighty  quick.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Tarrypin  shuffle 
back  ter  de  bumbly-bee  nes'  swif  ez  he  kin,  en  bun"  'im 
a  fier  in  dar,  en  den  he  crawl  out  en  holler: 

"Brer  Buzzud!  O  Brer  Buzzud!  Run  yer,  fer  gra 
cious  sake,  Brer  Buzzud,  en  look  how  much  honey  I  done 
fine!  I  des  crope  in  a  little  ways,  en  it  des  drip  all  down 
my  back,  same  like  water.  Run  yer,  Brer  Buzzud !  Half 
yone  en  half  mine,  Brer  Buzzud ! ' 


78  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Brer  Buzzud,  he  flop  down,  en  he  laugh  en  say  he 
mighty  glad,  kaze  he  done  git  hongry  up  dar  whar  he  bin. 
Den  Brer  Tarrypin  tell  Brer  Buzzud  fer  ter  creep  in  little 
ways  en  tas'e  en  see  how  he  like  um,  w'iles  he  take  his  stan' 
on  de  outside  en  watch  fer  somebody.  But  no  sooner  is 
Brer  Buzzud  crope  in  de  bumbly-bee  nes'  dan  Brer  Tarry- 
pin  take'n  roll  a  great  big  rock  front  er  de  hole.  Ter- 
reckly,  de  fier  'gun  ter  bu'n  Brer  Buzzud,  en  he  sing  out 
like  a  man  in  trouble: 

" '  Sump'n'  bitin'  me,  Brer  Tarrypin  —  sump'n*  bitin' 
me,  Brer  Tarrypin ! ' 

"Den  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  holler  back: 

"'It's  de  bumbly-bees  a-stingin'  you,  Brer  Buzzud; 
stan'  up  en  flop  yo'  wings,  Brer  Buzzud.  Stan'  up  en 
flop  yo'  wings,  Brer  Buzzud,  en  you'll  drive  um  off,' 
sezee. 

"Brer  Buzzud  flop  en  flop  he  wings,  but  de  mo'  w'at 
he  flop,  de  mo'  he  fande  fier,  en  'twa'n't  long  'fo'  he  done 
bodaciously  bu'n  up,  all  'ceppin'  de  big  een  er  his  wing- 
fedders,  en  dem  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  tuck  en  make  inter 
some  quills,  w'ich  he  go  'roun'  a-playin'  un  um,  en  de 
chune  w'at  he  play  was  dish  yer: 

"  '/  foolee,  I  foolee,  I  foolee  po'  Buzzud; 
Po'  Buzzud  I  foolee,  I  foolee,  I  foolee.'  >! 


BROTHER  FOX  COVETS  THE  QUILLS  79 

XV 
BROTHER  FOX  COVETS  THE  QUILLS 

"THAT  must  have  been  a  mighty  funny  song,"  said  the 
little  boy. 

"  Fun  one  time  aint  fun  'n'er  time;  some  folks  fines  fun 
whar  yuther  folks  fines  trouble.  Pig  may  laugh  w'en  he 
see  de  rock  a-heatin',  but  dey  aint  no  fun  dar  fer  de  pig.1 

"Yit,  fun  er  no  fun,  dat  de  song  w'at  Brer  Tarrypin 
play  on  de  quills: 

*  '/  foolee,  I  foolee,  I  foolee  po'  Buzzud; 
Po'  Buzzud  I  foolee,  I  foolee,  I  foolee.' 

"Nobody  dunner  whar  de  quills  cum  fum,  kaze  Brer 
Tarrypin,  he  aint  makin'  no  brags  how  he  git  um  ;  yit 
ev'ybody  want  um  on  account  er  der  playin'  sech  a  lone 
some  2  chune,  en  ole  Brer  Fox,  he  want  um  wuss'n  all.  He 
beg  en  he  beg  Brer  Tarrypin  fer  ter  sell  'im  dem  quills;  but 
Brer  Tarrypin,  he  hoi'  on  t'um  tight,  en  say  eh-eh!  Den 
he  ax  Brer  Tarrypin  fer  ter  loan  um  t'  um  des  a  week,  so 
he  kin  play  fer  he  chilluns,  but  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  shake  he 
head  en  put  he  foot  down,  en  keep  on  playin' : 

'  '/  foolee,  I  foolee,  I  foolee  po'  Buzzud; 
Po'  Buzzud  I  foolee,  I  foolee,  I  foolee.' 

1  An  allusion  to  the  primitive  mode  of  cleaning  hogs  hy  heating  ^ocks, 
and  placing  them  in  a  barrel  or  tank  of  water. 

2  This  word  "  lonesome,"  as  used  by  the  negroes,  is  the  equivalent  of 
"  thrilling,"  "  romantic,"  etc.,  and  in  that  sense  is  very  expressive. 


80  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  But  Brer  Fox,  he  aint  got  no  peace  er  min'  on  account 
er  dem  quills,  en  one  day  he  meet  Brer  Tarrypin  en  he  ax 
'im  how  he  seem  ter  segashuate l  en  he  fambly  en  all  he 
chilluns;  en  den  Brer  Fox  ax  Brer  Tarrypin  ef  he  can't 
des  look  at  de  quills,  kaze  he  got  some  goose-fedders  at 
he  house,  en  if  he  kin  des  get  a  glimpse  er  Brer  Tarrypin 
quills,  he  'speck  he  kin  make  some  mighty  like  um. 

"  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  study  'bout  dis,  but  he  hate  ter  'ny 
small  favors  like  dat,  en  bimeby  he  hoi'  out  dem  quills 
whar  Brer  Fox  kin  see  um.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n 
juk  de  quills  outen  Brer  Tarrypin  han',  he  did,  and  dash 
off  des  ez  hard  ez  he  kin  go.  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  holler  en 
holler  at  'im  des  loud  ez  he  kin  holler,  but  he  know  he 
can't  ketch  'im,  en  he  des  sot  dar,  Brer  Tarrypin  did,  en 
look  lak  he  done  los'  all  de  kin-folks  w'at  he  got  in  de  roun' 
worrul'. 

"Atter  dis,  Brer  Fox  he  strut  'roun'  en  play  mighty 
biggity,  en  eve'y  time  he  meet  Brer  Tarrypin  in  de  road 
he  walk  all  'roun'  'im  en  play  on  de  quills  like  dis : 

" '/  foolee,  I  foolee,  po'  Buzzud  ; 
I  foolee  ole  Tarrypin,  too.9 

"  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  feel  mighty  bad,  but  he  aint  sayin' 
nothin'.  Las',  one  day  w'iles  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  was  set- 
tin'  on  a  log  sunnin'  hisse'f,  yer  come  Brer  Fox  playin'  dat 
same  old  chune  on  de  quills,  but  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  stay 
still.  Brer  Fox,  he  come  up  little  nigher  en  play,  but  Brer 
Tarrypin,  he  keep  he  eyes  shot  en  he  stay  still.  Brer  Fox, 

1  An  inquiry  after  his  health.  Another  form  is :  "  How  does  yo'  cor- 
porosity  seem  ter  segashuate  ?  " 


BROTHER  FOX  COVETS  THE  QUILLS     81 

he  come  nigher  en  git  on  de  log;  Brer  Tarrypin  aint 
sayin'  nothin'.  Brer  Fox  still  git  up  niglier  en  play  on  de 
quills;  still  Brer  Tarrypin  aint  sayin'  nothin'. 

"'Brer  Tarrypin  mighty  sleepy  dis  mawnin','  sez  Brer 
Fox,  sezee. 

"Still  Brer  Tarrypin  keep  he  eyes  shot  en  stay  still. 
Brer  Fox  keep  on  gittin'  nigher  en  nigher,  twel  bimeby 
Brer  Tarrypin  open  he  eyes  en  he  mouf  bofe,  en  he  make 
a  grab  at  Brer  Fox  en  miss  'im. 

"But  hoi'  on!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  in  response  to 
an  expression  of  intense  disappointment  in  the  child's  face. 
"You  des  wait  a  minnit.  Nex'  mawnin',  Brer  Tarrypin 
take  hisse'f  off  en  waller  in  a  mud-hole,  en  smear  hisse'f 
wid  mud  twel  he  look  des  'zackly  lak  a  clod  er  dirt.  Den 
he  crawl  off  en  lay  down  un'need  a  log  whar  he  know  Brer 
Fox  come  eve'y  mawnin'  fer  ter  freshen  1  hisse'f. 

"Brer  Tarrypin  lay  dar,  he  did,  en  terreckly  yer  come 
Brer  Fox.  Time  he  git  dar,  Brer  Fox  'gun  ter  lip  back- 
erds  en  forerds  'cross  de  log,  and  Brer  Tarrypin  he  crope 
nigher  en  nigher,  twel  bimeby  he  make  a  grab  at  Brer 
Fox  en  kotch  him  by  de  foot.  Dey  tells  me,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  rubbing  his  hands  together  in  token  of  great 
satisfaction, —  "  dey  tells  me  dat  w'en  Brer  Tarrypin  ketch 
holt,  hit  got  ter  thunder  'fo'  he  let  go.  All  I  know,  Brer 
Tarrypin  git  Brer  Fox  by  de  foot,  en  he  hilt  'im  dar.  Brer 
Fox  he  jump  en  he  r'ar,  but  Brer  Tarrypin  done  got  'im. 
Brer  Fox,  he  holler  out: 

"Brer  Tarrypin,  please  lemme  go!' 
1  Exercise  himself. 


82  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  talk  way  down  in  his  th'oat : 

"'Gim'  my  quills!' 

"'Lemme  go  en  fetch  um.' 

u'Gim'  my  quills!' 

" '  Do  pray  lemme  go  git  um.' 

"'Gim'  my  quills!' 

"  En,  bless  gracious !  dis  all  Brer  Fox  kin  git  outer  Brer 
Tarrypin.  Las',  Brer  Fox  foot  hu't  'im  so  bad  dat  he 
bleedz  ter  do  sump'n',  en  he  sing  out  fer  his  ole  'oman  fer 
ter  fetch  de  quills,  but  he  ole  'oman,  she  busy  'bout  de 
house,  en  she  don't  year  'im.  Den  he  call  he  son,  w'ich  he 
name  Tobe.  He  holler  en  bawl,  en  Tobe  make  answer: 

"'Tobe!  OTobe!  You  Tobe!' 

"'Wat  you  want,  daddy?' 

"'Fetch  Brer  Tarrypin  quills.' 

"'Wat  you  say,  daddy?  Fetch  de  big  tray  ter  git  de 
honey  in  ? ' 

" '  No,  you  crazy-head !  Fetch  Brer  Tarrypin  quills ! ' 

"  *  Wat  you  say,  daddy  ?  Fetch  de  dipper  ter  ketch  de 
minners  in  ? ' 

" '  No,  you  fool !    Fetch  Brer  Tarrypin  quills ! ' 

" '  Wat  you  say,  daddy  ?  Water  done  been  spill  ? ' 

"  Hit  went  on  dis  a-way  twel  atter  w'ile  ole  Miss  Fox 
year  de  racket,  en  den  she  lissen,  en  she  know  dat  'er  ole 
man  holler' n'  fer  de  quills,  en  she  fotch  um  out  en  gun  um 
ter  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  let  go  he  holt. 
He  let  go  he  holt,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "  but  long  time 
atter  dat,  w'en  Brer  Fox  go  ter  pay  he  calls,  he  hatter  go 
hoppity-fetchity,  hoppity-fetchity. ' ' 


HOW  BRO.  FOX  FAILED  TO  GET  GRAPES    83 

The  old  man  folded  his  hands  in  his  lap,  and  sat  quietly 
gazing  into  the  lightwood  fire.  Presently  h^  said: 

"  I  'speck  Miss  Sally  blessin'  us  all  right  now,  en  fus* 
news  you  know  she  '11  h'ist  up  en  have  Mars  John  a-trapes- 
in'  down  yer;  en  ef  she  do  dat,  den  ter-morrer  mawnin' 
my  brekkuss'll  be  col',  en  lakwise  my  dinner,  en  ef  dey's 
sump'n'  w'at  I  'spizes  hit 's  col'  vittels." 

Thereupon  Uncle  Remus  arose,  shook  himself,  peered 
out  into  the  night  to  discover  that  the  rain  had  nearly 
ceased,  and  then  made  ready  to  carry  the  little  boy  to  his 
mother.  Long  before  the  chickens  had  crowed  for  mid 
night,  the  child,  as  well  as  the  old  man,  had  been  trans 
ported  to  the  land  where  myths  and  fables  cease  to  be 
wonderful,  —  the  land  of  pleasant  dreams. 


XVI 


HOW   BROTHER    FOX    FAILED    TO    GET    HIS 
GRAPES 

ONE  night  the  little  boy  failed  to  make  his  appearance  at 
the  accustomed  hour,  and  the  next  morning  the  intelli 
gence  that  the  child  was  sick  went  forth  from  the  "big 
house."  Uncle  Remus  was  told  that  it  had  been  necessary 
during  the  night  to  call  in  two  physicians.  When  this  in 
formation  was  imparted  to  the  old  man,  there  was  an  ex 
pression  upon  his  countenance  of  awe  not  unmixed  with 
indignation.  He  gave  vent  to  the  latter: 

"  Dar  now !  Two  un  um !  WT'en  dat  chile  rize  up,  ef  rize 


84  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

up  he  do,  he  '11  des  nat'ally  be  a  shadder.  Yer  I  is,  gwine 
on  eighty  year,  en  I  aint  tuck  none  er  dat  ar  docter  truck 
yit,  ceppin'  it's  dish  yer  flas'  er  poke-root  w'at  ole  Miss 
Favers  fix  up  fer  de  stiffness  in  my  j'ints.  Dey'll  come 
en  dey  '11  go,  en  dey  '11  po'  in  der  jollup  yer  en  slap  on  der 
fly-plarster  dar,  en  sprinkle  der  calomy  yander,  twel  bimeby 
dat  chile  won't  look  like  hisse'f .  Dat 's  w'at !  En  mo'n  dat, 
hit's  mighty  kuse  unter  me  dat  ole  folks  kin  go  'long  en 
stan'  up  ter  de  rack  en  gobble  up  der  'lowance,  en  yit 
chilluns  is  got  ter  be  strucken  down.  Ef  Miss  Sally  '11  des 
tu'n  dem  docter  mens  loose  onter  me,  I  lay  I  lick  up  der 
physic  twel  dey  go  off  'stonish'd." 

But  no  appeal  of  this  nature  was  made  to  Uncle  Remus. 
The  illness  of  the  little  boy  was  severe,  but  not  fatal.  He 
took  his  medicine  and  improved,  until  finally  even  the  doc 
tors  pronounced  him  convalescent.  But  he  was  very  weak, 
and  it  was  a  fortnight  before  he  was  permitted  to  leave  his 
bed.  He  was  restless,  and  yet  his  term  of  imprisonment 
was  full  of  pleasure.  Every  night  after  supper  Uncle  Re 
mus  would  creep  softly  into  the  back  piazza,  place  his  hat 
carefully  on  the  floor,  rap  gently  on  the  door  by  way  of 
announcement,  and  so  pass  into  the  nursery.  How  patient 
his  vigils,  how  tender  his  ministrations,  only  the  mother 
of  the  little  boy  knew;  how  comfortable  and  refreshing 
the  change  from  the  bed  to  the  strong  arms  of  Uncle  Re 
mus,  only  the  little  boy  could  say. 

Almost  the  first  manifestation  of  the  child's  conva 
lescence  was  the  renewal  of  his  interest  in  the  wonderful 
adventures  of  Brother  Rabbit,  Brother  Fox,  and  the  other 


HOW  BRO.   FOX  FAILED  TO  GET  GRAPES     85 

brethren  who  flourished  in  that  strange  past  over  which 
this  modern  ^Esop  had  thrown  the  veil  of  fable.  "Miss 
Sally,"  as  Uncle  Remus  called  the  little  boy's  mother,  sit 
ting  in  an  adjoining  room,  heard  the  youngster  pleading  for 
a  story,  and  after  a  while  she  heard  the  old  man  clear  up 
his  throat  with  a  great  affectation  of  formality  and  begin. 

"  Dey  aint  skacely  no  p'int  whar  ole  Brer  Rabbit  en  ole 
Brer  Fox  made  der  'greements  side  wid  one  er  'n'er;  let 
'lone  dat,  dey  wuz  one  p'int  'twix'  um  w'ich  it  wuz  same 
ez  fier  en  tow,  en  dat  wuz  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals.  Lit 
tle  ez  you  might  'speck,  dem  same  creeturs  wuz  bofe  un 
um  flyin'  'roun'  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals.  Ole  Brer  Rab 
bit,  he'd  go  dar,  en  dar  he'd  fine  ole  Brer  Fox  settin'  up 
gigglin'  wrid  de  gals,  en  den  he'd  skuze  hisse'f,  he  would, 
en  gallop  down  de  big  road  a  piece,  en  paw  up  de  san* 
same  lak  dat  ar  ball-face  steer  w'at  tuck'n  tuck  off  yo'  pa' 
coat-tail  las'  Feberwary.  En  lakwise  ole  Brer  Fox,  he'd 
sa'nter  in,  en  fine  old  man  Rab.  settin'  'longside  er  de  gals, 
en  den  he  'd  go  out  down  de  road  en  grab  a  simmon-bush 
in  he  mouf,  en  nat'ally  gnyaw  de  bark  off'n  it.  In  dem 
days,  honey,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  responding  to  a 
look  of  perplexity  on  the  child's  face,  "  creeturs  wuz  wuss 
dan  w'at  dey  is  now.  Dey  wuz  dat  —  lots  wuss. 

"Dey  went  on  dis  a-way  twel,  bimeby,  Brer  Rabbit 
'gun  ter  cas'  'roun',  he  did,  fer  ter  see  ef  he  can't  bus' 
inter  some  er  Brer  Fox  'rangerments,  en,  atter  w'ile,  one 
day  wr'en  he  wer'  settin'  down  by  de  side  er  de  road  wuk- 
kin  up  de  diffunt  oggyment  w'at  strak  pun  he  mine,  en 
fixin'  up  he  tricks,  des  'bout  dat  time  he  year  a  clatter 


86  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

up  de  long  green  lane,  en  yer  come  ole  Brer  Fox  —  too- 
bookity  —  bookity  —  bookity-book  —  lopin'  'long  mo'  samer 
dan  a  bay  colt  in  de  bolly-patch.  En  he  wuz  all  primp 
up,  too,  mon,  en  he  look  slick  en  shiny  lak  he  des  come 
outen  de  sto'.  Ole  man  Rab.,  he  sot  dar,  he  did,  en  w'en 
ole  Brer  Fox  come  gallopin'  'long,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n 
hail  'im.  Brer  Fox,  he  fotch  up,  en  dey  pass  de  time  er 
day  wid  one  er  nudder  monst'us  perlite;  en  den,  bimeby 
atter  w'ile,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  say,  sezee,  dat  he  got 
some  mighty  good  news  fer  Brer  Fox  ;  en  Brer  Fox, 
he  up'n  ax  'im  w'at  is  it.  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter 
scratch  he  year  wid  his  behime  foot  en  say,  sezee : 

"'I  wuz  takin'  a  walk  day  'fo'  yistiddy,'  sezee,  'w'en  de 
fus'  news  I  know'd  I  run  up  gin  de  bigges'  en  de  fattes' 
bunch  er  grapes  dat  I  ever  lay  eyes  on.  Dey  wuz  dat  fat 
en  dat  big,'  sezee,  'dat  de  natal  juice  wuz  des  drappin' 
fum  um,  en  de  bees  wuz  a-swawmin'  atter  de  honey,  en 
little  ole  Jack  Sparrer  en  all  er  his  fambly  conneckshun 
wuz  skeetin'  'roun'  dar  dippin'  in  der  bills,'  sezee. 

"  Right  den  en  dar,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "  Brer  Fox 
mouf  'gun  ter  water,  en  he  look  outer  he  eye  like  he  de 
bes'  frien'  w'at  Brer  Rabbit  got  in  de  roun'  worl'.  He 
done  fergit  all  'bout  de  gals,  en  he  sorter  sidle  up  ter  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  did,  en  he  say,  sezee: 

" '  Come  on,  Brer  Rabbit,'  sezee,  'en  less  you  'n  me  go 
git  dem  ar  grapes  'fo'  deyer  all  gone,'  sezee.  En  den  ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  laff,  he  did,  en  up'n  'spon',  sezee: 

"'I  hungry  myse'f,  Brer  Fox,'  sezee,  'but  I  aint  han- 
kerin'  atter  grapes,  en  I'll  be  in  monst'us  big  luck  ef  I 


HOW  BRO.  FOX  FAILED  TO  GET  GRAPES    87 

kin  rush  'roun'  yer  some'rs  en  scrape  up  a  bait  er  pusley 
time  nuff  fer  ter  keep  de  breff  in  my  body.  En  yit,'  sezee, 
'ef  you  take'n  rack  off  atter  deze  yer  grapes,  w'at  Miss 
Meadows  en  de  gals  gwine  do  ?  I  lay  dey  got  yo'  name 
in  de  pot,'  sezee. 

" '  Ez  ter  dat,'  sez  ole  Brer  Fox,  sezee,  '  I  kin  drap  'roun' 
en  see  de  ladies  atterwards,'  sezee. 

'"Well,  den,  ef  dat's  yo'  game,'  sez  ole  man  Rab., 
sezee,  '  I  kin  squot  right  flat  down  yer  on  de  groun'  en 
p'int  out  de  way  des  de  same  ez  leadin'  you  dar  by  de 
hari','  sezee;  en  den  Brer  Rabbit  sorter  chaw  on  he  cud 
lak  he  gedder'n  up  his  'membunce,  en  he  up'n  say,  sezee: 
'You  know  dat  ar  place  whar  you  went  atter  sweet- 
gum  fer  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals  t'er  day  ? '  sezee. 

"  Brer  Fox  'low  dat  he  know  dat  ar  place  same  ez  he  do 
he  own  tater-patch. 

"Well,  den,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'de  grapes  aint 
dar.  You  git  ter  de  sweetgum,'  sezee,  'en  den  you  go  up 
de  branch  twel  you  come  ter  a  little  patch  er  bamboo- 
brier  —  but  de  grapes  aint  dar.  Den  you  follow  yo'  lef 
han'  en  strike  'cross  de  hill  twel  you  come  ter  dat  big  red- 
oak  root  —  but  de  grapes  aint  dar.  On  you  goes  down  de 
hill  twel  you  come  ter  'n'er  branch,  en  on  dat  branch  dars  a 
dogwood-tree  leanin'  'way  over,  en  nigh  dat  dogwood  dars 
a  vine,  en  in  dat  vine,  dar  you  '11  fine  yo'  grapes.  Deyer  dat 
ripe,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'dat  dey  look  like  deyer 
done  melt  tergedder,  en  I  speck  you  '11  fine  um  full  er  bugs, 
but  you  kin  take  dat  fine  bushy  tail  er  yone,  Brer  Fox,' 
sezee, '  en  bresh  dem  bugs  away.' 


88  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Brer  Fox  'low  he  much  'blige,  en  den  he  put  out  atter 
de  grapes  in  a  h an' -gallop,  en  w'en  he  done  got  outer  sight, 
en  likewise  outer  year'n,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  take'n  git  a  blade 
er  grass,  he  did,  en  tickle  hisse'f  in  de  year,  en  den  he  holler 
en  laff,  en  laff  en  holler,  twel  he  hatter  lay  down  fer  ter  git 
he  breff  back  'gin. 

"  Den,  atter  so  long  time,  Brer  Rabbit  he  jump  up,  he 
do,  en  take  atter  Brer  Fox,  but  Brer  Fox,  he  aint  look 
ter  de  right  ner  de  lef,  en  needer  do  he  look  behime;  he 
des  keep  a-rackin'  'long  twel  he  come  ter  de  sweetgum-tree, 
en  den  he  tu'n  up  de  branch  twel  he  come  ter  de  bamboo- 
brier,  en  den  he  tu'n  squar  ter  de  lef  twel  he  come  ter  de 
big  red-oak  root,  en  den  he  keep  on  down  he  hill  twel  he 
come  ter  de  yuther  branch,  en  dar  he  see  de  dogwood ;  en 
mo'n  dat,  dar  nigh  de  dogwood  he  see  de  vine,  en  in  dat 
vine  dar  wuz  de  big  bunch  er  grapes.  Sho'  nuff,  dey  wuz 
all  kivvud  wid  bugs. 

"  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'd  bin  a-pushin'  'long  atter  Brer 
Fox,  but  he  des  hatter  scratch  gravel  fer  ter  keep  up. 
Las'  he  hove  in  sight,  en  he  lay  off  in  de  weeds,  he  did, 
fer  ter  watch  Brer  Fox  motions.  Present'y  Brer  Fox  crope 
up  de  leanin'  dogwood-tree  twel  he  come  nigh  de  grapes, 
en  den  he  sorter  ballunce  hisse'f  on  a  lim'  en  gun  um  a 
swipe  wid  his  big  bushy  tail,  fer  ter  bresh  off  de  bugs. 
But,  bless  yo'  soul,  honey !  no  sooner  is  he  done  dat  dan  he 
fetch  a  squall  w'ich  Miss  Meadows  vow  atterwards  she 
year  plum  ter  her  house,  en  down  he  come  —  Jcerblim  !  " 

"What  was  the  matter,  Uncle  Remus?"  the  little  boy 
asked. 


HOW  BRO.  FOX  FAILED  TO  GET  GRAPES    89 

"Law,  honey!  dat  seetful  Brer  Rabbit  done  fool  ole 
Brer  Fox.  Dem  ar  grapes  all  so  fine  wuz  needer  mo'  ner 
less  dan  a  great  big  was'-nes',  en  dem  bugs  wuz  deze  yer 
red  wassies  —  deze  yer  speeshy  w'at  's  rank  pizen  fum  een* 
ter  een'.  Wen  Brer  Fox  drap  fum  de  tree  de  wassies  dey 
drap  wid  'im,  en  de  way  dey  worn  ole  Brer  Fox  up  wuz 
sinful.  Dey  aint  mo'n  tetch  'im  'fo'  dey  had  'im  het  up 
ter  de  b'ilin'  p'int.  Brer  Fox,  he  run,  en  he  kick,  en  he 
scratch,  en  he  bite,  en  he  scramble,  en  he  heller,  en  he 
howl,  but  look  lak  dey  git  wuss  en  wuss.  One  time,  hit 
seem  lak  Brer  Fox  en  his  new  'quaintance  wuz  makin* 
todes  Brer  Rabbit,  but  dey  aint  no  sooner  p'int  dat  way, 
dan  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  make  a  break,  en  he  went 
sailin'  thoo  de  woods  wuss'n  wunner  dese  whully-win's, 
en  he  aint  stop  twel  he  fetch  up  at  Miss  Meadows. 

"  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals,  dey  ax  'im,  dey  did,  whar- 
bouts  wuz  Brer  Fox,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  'spon'  dat  he 
done  gone  a-grape-huntin',  en  den  Miss  Meadows,  she 
'low,  she  did: 

' '  Law,  gals !  is  you  ever  year  de  beat  er  dat  ?  En  dat, 
too,  w'en  Brer  Fox  done  say  he  comin'  ter  dinner,'  sez  she. 
4 1  lay  I  done  wid  Brer  Fox,  kaze  you  can't  put  no  pen- 
nunce  in  deze  yer  men-folks,'  sez  she.  *  Yer  de  dinner  bin 
done  dis  long  time,  en  we  bin  a-waitin'  lak  de  quality. 
But  now  I  'm  done  wid  Brer  Fox,'  sez  she. 

"  Wid  dat,  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals  dey  ax  Brer  Rab 
bit  fer  ter  stay  ter  dinner,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  make 
like  he  wanter  be  skuze,  but  bimeby  he  tuck  a  cheer  en 
sot  um  out.  He  tuck  a  cheer,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 


90  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  en  he  aint  bin  dar  long  twel  he  look  out  en  spy  ole  Brer 
Fox  gwine  'long  by,  en  w'at  do  Brer  Rabbit  do  but  call 
Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals  en  p'int  'im  out  ?  Soon 's  dey 
seed  'im  dey  sot  up  a  monst'us  gigglement,  kaze  Brer 
Fox  wuz  dat  swell  up  twel  little  mo'n  he  'd  a  bus'.  He  head 
wuz  swell  up,  en  down  ter  he  legs,  dey  wuz  swell  up.  Miss 
Meadows,  she  up'n  say  dat  Brer  Fox  look  like  he  done 
gone  en  got  all  de  grapes  dey  wuz  in  de  neighborhoods, 
en  one  er  de  yuther  gals,  she  squeal,  she  did,  en  say: 
"'Law,  aint  you  'shame',  en  right  yer  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit!' 
"En  den  dey  hilt  der  han's  'fo'  der  face  en  giggle  des 
like  gals  duz  deze  days." 


XVII 
MR.  FOX  FIGURES  AS  AN  INCENDIARY 

THE  next  night  the  little  boy  had  been  thoughtful  enough 
to  save  some  of  his  supper  for  L^ncle  Remus,  and  to  this 
"Miss  Sally"  had  added,  on  her  own  account,  a  large 
piece  of  fruit-cake.  The  old  man  appeared  to  be  highly 
pleased. 

"Ef  ders  enny  kinder  cake  w'at  I  likes  de  mos',  hit's 
dish  yer  kine  w'at 's  got  reezins  strowed  'mongs'  it.  Wid 
sick  folks,  now,"  he  continued,  holding  up  the  cake  and 
subjecting  it  to  a  critical  examination,  "  dish  yer  hunk  'ud 
mighty  nigh  las'  a  mont',  but  wid  a  well  man  lak  I  is,  hit 
won't  las'  a  minnit." 

And  it  did  n't.     It  disappeared  so  suddenly  that  the 


MR.  FOX  FIGURES  AS  AN  INCENDIARY    91 

little  boy  laughed  aloud,  and  wanted  Uncle  Remus  to 
have  some  more  cake;  but  the  latter  protested  that  he 
did  n't  come  there  "  fer  ter  git  founder'd,"  but  merely  to 
see  "  ef  somebody's  strenk  uz  strong  'nuff  fer  ter  stan'  'n'er 
tale."  The  little  boy  said  if  Uncle  Remus  meant  him,  he 
was  sure  his  health  was  good  enough  to  listen  to  any 
number  of  stories.  Whereupon,  the  old  man,  without  any 
tantalizing  preliminaries,  began : 

"Brer  Fox  done  bin  fool  so  much  by  Brer  Rabbit  dat 
he  sorter  look  'roun'  fer  ter  see  ef  he  can't  ketch  up  wid 
some  er  de  yuther  creeturs,  en  so,  one  day,  w'iles  he  gwine 
long  down  de  big  road,  who  should  he  strak  up  wid  but 
old  Brer  Tarrypin.  Brer  Fox  sorter  lick  his  chops,  en  'low 
dat  ef  he  kin  fling  ennybody  en  gin  um  ail-under  holt, 
Brer  Tarrypin  de  man,  en  he  march  up,  mighty  biggity, 
like  he  gwine  ter  make  spote  un  'im.  Wen  he  git  up  nigh 
'nuff,  Brer  Fox  hail  'im :" 

' '  How  you  'speck  you  fine  yo'se'f  dis  mawnin',  Brer 
Tarrypin?'  sezee. 

' '  Slow,  Brer  Fox  —  mighty  slow,'  sez  Brer  Tarrypin, 
sezee.  *  Day  in  en  day  out  I  'm  mighty  slow,  en  it  look  lak 
I'm  a-gittin'  slower;  I'm  slow  en  po'ly,  Brer  Fox  —  how 
you  come  on  ? '  sezee. 

" '  Oh,  I  'm  slanchindickler,  same  ez  I  allers  is,'  sez  Brer 
Fox,  sezee.  '  Wat  make  yo'  eye  so  red,  Brer  Tarrypin  ? ' 
sezee. 

' '  Hit 's  all  'longer  de  trouble  I  see,  Brer  Fox,'  sez  Brer 
Tarrypin,  sezee.  'I  see  trouble  en  you  see  none;  trouble 
come  en  pile  up  on  trouble,'  sezee. 


92  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

" '  Law,  Brer  Tarrypiri ! '  sez  Brer  Fox,  sezee,  '  you  aint 
see  no  trouble  yit.  Ef  you  wanter  see  sho'  'miff  trouble, 
you  des  oughter  go  'longer  me;  I  'm  de  man  w'at  kin  show 
you  trouble,'  sezee. 

"  *  Well,  den,'  sez  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  sezee,  *  ef  youer 
de  man  w'at  kin  show  me  trouble,  den  I'm  de  man  w'at 
want  a  glimpse  un  it,'  sezee. 

"  Den  Brer  Fox,  he  ax  Brer  Tarrypin  is  he  seed  de  Ole 
Boy,  en  den  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  make  answer  dat  he  aint 
seed  'im  yit,  but  he  year  tell  un  'im.  Wid  dat,  Brer  Fox 
'low  de  Ole  Boy  de  kinder  trouble  he  bin  talkin'  'bout, 
en  den  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  up'n  ax  how  he  gwine  see 
'im.  Brer  Fox,  he  tak'n  lay  out  de  pogrance,  en  he 
up'n  tell  Brer  Tarrypin  dat  ef  he'll  step  up  dar  in  de 
middle  er  dat  ole  broom-sage  fiel',  en  squot  dar  a  spell, 
't  won't  be  no  time  'fo'  he  '11  ketch  a  glimpse  er  de  Ole 
Boy. 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  know'd  ders  sump'n'  wrong  some'rs,  yit 
he  mos'  too  flat-flooted  fer  ter  have  enny  scuffle  wid  Brer 
Fox,  en  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  '11  go  'long  en  des  trus'  ter 
luck;  en  den  he  'low  dat  ef  Brer  Fox  he'p  'im  'cross  de 
fence,  he  b'lieve  he'll  go  up  en  resk  one  eye  on  de  Ole 
Boy.  Co'se  Brer  Fox  hope  'im  'cross,  en  no  sooner  is  he 
good  en  gone,  dan  Brer  Fox,  he  fix  up  fer  ter  make  'im  see 
trouble.  He  lipt  out  ter  Miss  Meadows  house,  Brer  Fox 
did,  en  make  like  he  wanter  borry  a  chunk  er  fier  fer  ter 
light  he  pipe,  en  he  tuck  dat  chunk,  en  he  run  'roun'  de 
fiel',  en  he  sot  de  grass  a  fier,  en 't  wa'n't  long  'fo?  it  look  lak 
de  whole  face  er  de  yeth  waz  a-blazin'  up." 


MR.  FOX  FIGURES  AS  AN  INCENDIARY    93 

"  Did  it  burn  the  Terrapin  up  ? "  interrupted  the  little 
boy. 

"Don't  push  me,  honey;  don't  make  me  git  de  kyart 
'fo'  de  hoss.  Wen  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  'gun  ter  wade  thoo 
de  straw,  de  ve'y  fus'  man  w'at  he  strak  up  wid  wuz  ole 
man  Rabbit  layin'  dar  sleepin'  on  de  shady  side  uv  a  tus 
sock.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  one  er  deze  yer  kinder  mens  w'at 
sleep  wid  der  eye  wide  open,  en  he  wuz  'wake  d'reckly  he 
year  Brer  Tarrypin  scufflin'  en  scramblin'  'long  thoo  de 
grass.  Atter  dey  shuck  han's  en  ax  'bout  one  er  n'er  fambly, 
hit  aint  take  long  fer  Brer  Tarrypin  fer  ter  tell  Brer  Rabbit 
w'at  fotch  'im  dar,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  say,  sezee: 

" '  Hit 's  des  na'tally  a  born  blessin'  dat  you  struck  up 
wid  me  w'en  you  did,'  sezee,  *  kaze  little  mo'  en  bofe  un 
us  would  'a'  bin  bobbycu'd,'  sezee. 

"  Dis  kinder  tarrify  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  he  say  he  wanter 
git  out  fum  dar;  but  Brer  Rabbit  he  'low  he'd  take  keer 
un  'im,  en  he  tuck'n  tuck  Brer  Tarrypin  in  de  middle  er 
de  fiel'  whar  dey  wuz  a  big  holler  stump.  Onter  dis  stump 
Brer  Rabbit  lif  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  den  he  lip  up  hisse'f  en 
crope  in  de  holler,  en,  bless  yo'  soul,  honey,  w'en  de  fier 
come  a-snippin'  en  a-snappin',  dar  dey  sot  des  ez  safe  en 
ez  snug  ez  you  iz  in  yo'  bed  dis  minnit. 

"W'en  de  blaze  blow  over,  Brer  Tarrypin  look  'roun', 
en  he  see  Brer  Fox  runnin'  up'n  down  de  fence  lak  he 
huntin'  sump'n'.  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  stick  he  head  up 
outen  de  hole,  en  likewise  he  seed  'im,  and  den  he  holler 
like  Brer  Tarrypin"  (Here  Uncle  Remus  puckered  his 
voice,  so  to  say,  in  a  most  amusing  squeak) : 


94  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"' Brer  Fox!  Brer  Fox!  O  Brer  Fox!  Runyer  —  we 
done  kotch  Brer  Rabbit!' 

"  En  den  Brer  Fox,  he  jump  up  on  de  top  rail  er  de  fence 
en  fetch  a  spring  dat  Ian'  'im  Vay  out  in  de  bu'nin'  grass, 
en  it  hurted  'im  en  sting  'im  in  de  footses  dat  bad,  dat  he 
squeal  en  he  roll,  en  de  mo'  he  roll  de  wuss  it  bu'n  him, 
en  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarrypin  dey  des  holler  en  laff. 
Bimeby  Brer  Fox  git  out,  en  off  he  put  down  de  road, 
limpin'  fus'  on  one  foot  en  den  on  de  yuther." 

The  little  boy  laughed,  and  then  there  was  a  long  silence 
—  so  long,  indeed,  that  Uncle  Remus's  "  Miss  Sally,"  sew 
ing  in  the  next  room,  concluded  to  investigate  it.  An  ex 
ceedingly  interesting  tableau  met  her  sight.  The  little 
child  had  wandered  into  the  land  of  dreams  with  a  smile 
on  his  face.  He  lay  with  one  of  his  little  hands  buried  in 
both  of  Uncle  Remus's,  while  the  old  man  himself  was  fast 
asleep,  with  his  head  thrown  back  and  his  mouth  wide 
open.  *'  Miss  Sally "  shook  him  by  the  shoulder  and  held 
up  her  finger  to  prevent  him  from  speaking.  He  was  quiet 
until  she  held  the  lamp  for  him  to  get  down  the  back  steps, 
and  then  she  heard  him  say,  in  an  indignantly  mortified 
tone: 

"Now  den,  Miss  Sally '11  be  a-riggin'  me  'bout  noddin', 
but  stidder  dat  she  better  be  glad  dat  I  aint  bus  loose  en 
sno'  en  'larm  de  house  —  let  'lone  dat  sick  baby.  Dat 's 
w'at !  " 


A  DREAM  AND  A  STORY  95 

XVIII 
A  DREAM  AND  A  STORY 

"  I  DREAMED  all  about  Brother  Fox  and  Brother  Rabbit 
last  night,  Uncle  Remus,"  exclaimed  the  little  boy  when 
the  old  man  came  in  after  supper  and  took  his  seat  by  the 
side  of  the  trundle-bed;  "  I  dreamed  that  Brother  Fox  had 
wings  and  tried  to  catch  Brother  Rabbit  by  flying  after 
him." 

"I  don't  'spute  it,  honey,  dat  I  don't!"  replied  the  old 
man,  in  a  tone  which  implied  that  he  was  quite  prepared 
to  believe  the  dream  itself  was  true.  "Manys  en  manys 
de  time,  deze  long  nights  en  deze  rainy  spells,  dat  I  sets 
down  dar  in  my  house  over  ag'in  de  chimbley-jam  —  I  sets 
dar  en  I  dozes,  en  it  seem  lak  dat  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he'll 
stick  he  head  in  de  crack  er  de  do'  en  see  my  eye  periently 
shot,  en  den  he  '11  beckon  back  at  de  yuther  creeturs,  en  den 
dey'll  all  come  slippin'  in  on  der  tip-toes,  en  dey'll  set  dar 
en  run  over  de  ole  times  wid  one  er  n'er,  en  crack  der  jokes 
same  ez  dey  useter.  En  den  ag'in,"  continued  the  old  man, 
shutting  his  eyes  and  giving  to  his  voice  a  gruesome  in 
tonation  quite  impossible  to  describe,  —  "  en  den  ag'in  hit 
look  lak  dat  Brer  Rabbit '11  gin  de  wink  all  'roun',  en  den 
dey'll  tu'n  in  en  git  up  a  reg'lar  juberlee.  Brer  Rabbit, 
he'll  retch  up  en  take  down  de  trivet,  en  Brer  Fox,  he'll 
snatch  up  de  griddle,  en  Brer  B'ar,  he'll  lay  holt  er  de 
pot-hooks,  en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  '11  grab  up  de  fryin' 
pan,  en  dar  dey  '11  have  it,  up  en  down,  en  'roun'  en  'roun'. 


96  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Hit  seem  like  ter  me  dat  ef  I  kin  git  my  mine  smoove 
down  en  ketch  up  some  er  dem  ar  chimes  w'at  dey  sets  dar 
en  plays,  den  I  'd  lean  back  yer  in  dish  yer  cheer  en  I  'd 
intrance  you  wid  um,  twel,  by  dis  time  termorrer  night, 
you  'd  be  settin'  up  dar  at  de  supper-table  'sputin'  'longer 
yo'  little  brer  'bout  de  'lasses  pitcher.  Dem  creeturs  dey 
sets  dar,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "en  dey  plays  dem 
kinder  chunes  w'at  moves  you  fum  'way  back  yander; 
en  manys  de  time  w'en  I  gits  lonesome  kaze  dey  aint 
nobody  year  um  'ceppin'  it 's  me.  Dey  aint  no  tellin'  de 
chunes  dey  is  in  dat  trivet,  en  in  dat  griddle,  en  in  dat 
fryin'-pan  er  mine  ;  dat  dey  aint.  W'en  dem  creeturs 
walks  in  en  snatches  um  down,  dey  lays  Miss  Sally's 
pianner  in  de  shade,  en  Mars  John's  flute,  hit  aint 
nowhars." 

"  Do  they  play  on  them  just  like  a  band,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 
inquired  the  little  boy,  who  was  secretly  in  hopes  that  the 
illusion  would  not  be  destroyed. 

"  Dey  comes  des  lak  I  tell  you,  honey.  W'en  I  shets  my 
eyes  en  dozes,  dey  comes  en  dey  plays,  but  w'en  I  opens 
my  eyes  dey  aint  dar.  Now,  den,  w'en  dat 's  de  shape  er 
marters,  w'at  duz  I  do  ?  I  des-  shets  my  eyes  en  hoi'  um 
shot,  en  let  um  come  en  play  dem  ole  time  chunes  twel  long 
atter  bed-time  done  come  en  gone." 

Uncle  Remus  paused,  as  though  he  expected  the  little 
boy  to  ask  some  question  or  make  some  comment,  but  the 
child  said  nothing,  and  presently  the  old  man  resumed,  in 
a  matter-of-fact  tone: 

"  Dat  dream  er  yone,  honey,  'bout  Brer  Fox  wid  wings, 


A  DREAM  AND  A  STORY  97 

fetches  up  de  time  w'en  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Wolf  had  der 
fallin'  out  wid  one  er  n'er  —  but  I  'speck  I  done  tole  you 
'bout  dat." 

"  Oh,  no,  you  have  n't,  Uncle  Remus !  You  know  you 
have  n't ! "  the  little  boy  exclaimed. 

"  Well,  den,  one  day,  atter  so  long  a  time,  Brer  Wolf  en 
Brer  Fox  dey  got  ter  'sputin'  'longer  one  er  n'er.  Brer 
WTolf,  he  tuck'n  'buse  Brer  Fox  kaze  Brer  Fox  let  Brer 
Rabbit  fool  'im,  en  den  Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n  quol  back  at 
Brer  WTolf,  kaze  Brer  Wolf  let  ole  man  Rabbit  lakwise  fool 
'im.  Dey  keep  on  'sputin'  en  'sputin',  twel  bimeby  dey 
clinch,  en  Brer  Wolf  bein'  de  bigges'  man,  't  would  n't  a 
bin  long  'fo'  he  'd  a  wool  Brer  Fox,  but  Brer  Fox,  he  watch 
he  chance,  he  did,  en  he  gin  'im  leg  bail." 

"  Gave  him  what,  Uncle  Remus  ? " 

"  Gin  'im  leg  bail,  honey.  He  juk  loose  fum  Brer  Wolf, 
Brer  Fox  did,  en,  gentermens,  he  des  mosey  thoo  de  woods. 
Brer  Wolf,  he  tuck  atter 'm,  he  did,  en  dar  dey  had  it, 
en  Brer  Wolf  push  Brer  Fox  so  close,  dat  de  onliest  way 
Brer  Fox  kin  save  he  hide  is  ter  fine  a  hole  some'rs,  en 
de  fus'  holler  tree  dat  he  come  'cross,  inter  it  he  dove.  Brer 
Wolf  fetcht  a  grab  at  'im,  but  he  wuz  des  in  time  fer  ter 
be  too  late. 

"  Den  Brer  Wolf,  he  sot  dar,  he  did,  en  he  study  en  study 
how  he  gwine  git  Brer  Fox  out,  en  Brer  Fox,  he  lay  in  dar, 
he  did,  en  he  study  en  study  w'at  Brer  Wrolf  gwine  do. 
Bimeby,  Brer  Wolf,  he  tuck'n  gedder  up  a  whole  lot  er 
chunks,  en  rocks,  en  sticks,  en  den  he  tuck'n  fill  up  de  hole 
whar  Brer  Fox  went  in  so  Brer  Fox  can't  git  out.  Wiles 


98  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

dis  wuz  gwine  on,  ole  Brer  Tukky  Buzzud,  he  wuz  sailin' 
'roun'  'way  up  in  de  elements,  wid  he  eye  peel  fer  bizness, 
en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  glance  lit  on  Brer  Wolf,  en  he  'low 
ter  hisse'f,  sezee: 

"'I'll  des  sorter  flop  down/  sezee,  'en  look  inter  dis, 
kaze  ef  Brer  Wolf  hidin'  he  dinner  dar  wid  de  expeck'- 
shun  er  findin'  it  dar  w'en  he  come  back,  den  he  done  gone 
en  put  it  in  de  wrong  place,'  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat  ole  Brer  Tukky  Buzzud,  he  flop  down  en  sail 
'roun'  nigher,  en  he  soon  see  dat  Brer  Wolf  aint  hidin'  no 
dinner.  Den  he  flop  down  furder,  ole  Brer  Buzzud  did, 
twel  he  lit  on  de  top  er  de  holler  tree.  Brer  Wolf,  he  done 
kotch  a  glimpse  er  ole  Brer  Buzzud  shadder,  but  he  keep 
on  puttin'  chunks  en  rocks  in  de  holler.  Den,  presently, 
Brer  Buzzud,  he  open  up: 

"'Wat  you  doin'  dar,  Brer  Wolf?' 

"'Makin'  a  toom-stone,  Brer  Buzzud.' 

"Co'se  Brer  Buzzud  sorter  feel  like  he  got  intruss  in 
marters  like  dis,  en  he  holler  back : 

" '  Who  dead  now,  Brer  Wolf  ? ' 

"'Wunner  yo'  'quaintance,  w'ich  he  name  Brer  Fox, 
Brer  Buzzud.' 

"'  W'en  he  die,  Brer  Wolf?' 

"'He  aint  dead  yit,  but  he  won't  las'  long  in  yer,  Brer 
Buzzud.' 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  keep  on,  he  did,  twel  he  done  stop  up  de 
hole  good,  en  den  he  bresh  de  trash  off' n  his  cloze,  en  put 
out  fer  home.  Brer  Tukky  Buzzud,  he  sot  up  dar,  he  did, 
en  ontankle  his  tail  fedders,  en  lissen  en  lissen,  but  Brer 


A  DREAM  AND  A  STORY  99 

Fox,  he  keep  dark,  en  Brer  Buzzud  aint  year  nuthin'.   Den 
Brer  Buzzud,  he  flop  he  wings  en  sail  away. 

"Bimeby,  nex'  day,  bright  en  early,  yer  he  come  back, 
en  he  sail  all  'roun'  en  'roun'  de  tree,  but  Brer  Fox  he  lay 
low  en  keep  dark,  en  Brer  Buzzud  aint  year  nuthin'.  Atter 
w'ile,  Brer  Buzzud  he  sail  'roun'  ag'in,  en  dis  time  he  sing, 
en  de  song  w'at  he  sing  is  dish  yer: 

"'Boo,  boo,  boo,  my  filler-mer-loo, 
Man  out  yer  wid  news  fer  you  !  ' 

Den  he  sail  all  'roun'   en  'roun'  n'er  time  en  listen,  en 
bimeby  he  year  Brer  Fox  sing  back: 

" '  Go  'way,  go  'way,  my  little  jug  er  beer, 
De  news  you  bring,  I  yeard  las'  year.'  " 

"  Beer,  Uncle  Remus  ?  What  kind  of  beer  did  they  have 
then  ?  "  the  little  boy  inquired. 

"  Now,  den,  honey,  ymier  gittin'  me  up  in  a  close  corn- 
der,"  responded  the  old  man,  in  an  unusually  serious  tone. 
"  Beer  is  de  way  de  tale  runs,  but  w'at  kinder  beer  it 
moughter  bin  aint  come  down  ter  me  —  en  yit  hit  seem 
lak  I  year  talk  some'rs  dat  dish  yer  beer  wuz  mos'  prins'ply 
'simmon  beer." 

This  seemed  to  satisfy  the  small  but  exacting  audience, 
and  Uncle  Remus  continued: 

"So,  den,  w'en  Brer  Buzzud  year  Brer  Fox  sing  back, 
he  'low  he  aint  dead,  en  wid  dat,  Brer  Buzzud,  he  sail  off 
en  'ten'  ter  he  yuther  business.  Nex'  day  back  he  come,  en 
Brer  Fox,  he  sing  back,  he  did,  des  ez  lively  ez  a  cricket  in 
de  ashes,  en  it  keep  on  dis  way  twel  Brer  Fox  stomach  'gun 


100  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

ter  pinch  him,  en  den  he  know  dat  he  gotter  study  up  some 
kinder  plans  fer  ter  git  out  fum  dar.  N'er  day  pass,  en  Brer 
Fox,  he  tuck'n  lay  low,  en  it  keep  on  dat  a-way  twel  hit  look 
like  ter  Brer  Fox,  pent  up  in  dar,  dat  he  mus'  sholy  pe'sh. 
Las',  one  day  Brer  Buzzud  come  sailin'  all  'roun'  en  'roun' 
wid  dat 

"'Boo,  boo,  boo,  my  filler-mer-loo,' 

but  Brer  Fox,  he  keep  dark,  en  Brer  Buzzud,  he  tuck'n 
spishun  dat  Brer  Fox  wuz  done  dead.  Brer  Buzzud,  he 
keep  on  singin',  en  Brer  Fox  he  keep  on  layin'  low,  twel 
bimeby  Brer  Buzzud  lit  en  'gun  ter  cle'r  'way  de  trash  en 
truck  fum  de  holler.  He  hop  up,  he  did,  en  tuck  out  one 
chunk,  en  den  he  hop  back  en  lissen,  but  Brer  Fox  stay 
still.  Den  Brer  Buzzud  hop  up  en  tuck  out  n'er  chunk, 
en  den  hop  back  en  lissen,  en  all  dis  time  Brer  Fox  mouf 
'uz  waterin'  w'iles  he  lay  back  in  dar  en  des  nat'ally  honed 
atter  Brer  Buzzud.  Hit  went  on  dis  a-way,  twel  des  'fo'  he 
got  de  hole  unkiwud,  Brer  Fox,  he  break  out  he  did,  en 
grab  Brer  Buzzud  by  de  back  er  de  neck.  Dey  wuz  a  kinder 
scuffle  'mongs'  um,  but  't  wa'n't  fer  long,  en  dat  wuz  de 
las'  er  ole  Brer  Tukky  Buzzud." 

XIX 
THE  MOON  IN  THE  MILL-POND 

ONE  night  when  the  little  boy  made  his  usual  visit  to 
Uncle  Remus,  he  found  the  old  man  sitting  up  in  his  chair 
fast  asleep.  The  child  said  nothing.  He  was  prepared  to 


THE  MOON  IN  THE  MILL-POND        101 

exercise  a  good  deal  of  patience  upon  occasion,  and  the 
occasion  was  when  he  wanted  to  hear  a  story.  But,  in 
making  himself  comfortable,  he  aroused  Uncle  Remus  from 
his  nap. 

"I  let  you  know,  honey,"  said  the  old  man,  adjusting 
his  spectacles,  and  laughing  rather  sheepishly,  —  "I  let  you 
know,  honey,  w'en  I  gits  my  head  r'ar'd  back  dat  a-way, 
en  my  eyeleds  shot,  en  my  mouf  open,  en  my  chin  p'intin' 
at  de  rafters,  den  dey's  some  mighty  quare  gwines  on  in 
my  rnin'.  Dey  is  dat,  des  ez  sho'  ezyouer  settin'  dar.  W'en 
I  fus'  year  you  comin'  down  de  paf,"  Uncle  Remus  con 
tinued,  rubbing  his  beard  thoughtfully,  "  I  'uz  sorter  fear'd 
you  mought  'spicion  dat  I  done  gone  off  on  my  journeys  fer 
ter  see  ole  man  Nod." 

This  was  accompanied  by  a  glance  of  inquiry,  to  which 
the  little  boy  thought  it  best  to  respond. 

"Well,  Uncle  Remus,"  he  said,  "I  did  think  I  heard 
you  snoring  when  I  came  in." 

*'  Now  you  see  dat ! "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  in  a  tone 
of  grieved  astonishment ;  "  you  see  dat !  Man  can't  lean 
hisse'f  'pun  his  'membunce,  'ceppin'  dey  's  some  un  fer  ter 
come  high-primin'  'roun'  en  'lowin'  dat  he  done  gone  ter 
sleep.  Shoo  !  W'en  you  stept  in  dat  do'  dar  I  'uz  right 
in  'mungs  some  mighty  quare  notions  —  mighty  quare 
notions.  Dey  aint  no  two  ways;  ef  I  'uz  ter  up  en  let  on 
'bout  all  de  notions  w'at  I  gits  in  'mungs,  folks  'ud  hatter 
come  en  kyar  me  off  ter  de  place  whar  dey  puts  'stracted 
people. 

"Atter  I  sop  up  my  supper,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on, 


102  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  I  tuck'n  year  some  flutterments  up  dar  'mungs  de  rafters, 
en  I  look  up,  en  dar  wuz  a  Bat  sailin'  'roun'.  'Roun'  en 
'roun',  en  'roun'  she  go  —  und'  de  rafters,  'bove  de  rafters 
—  en  ez  she  sail  she  make  noise  lak  she  grittin'  'er  toofies. 
Now,  w'at  dat  Bat  atter,  I  be  bless  ef  I  kin  tell  you,  but  dar 
she  wuz;  'roun'  en  'roun',  over  en  under.  I  ax  'er  w'at  do 
she  want  up  dar,  but  she  aint  got  no  time  fer  ter  tell; 
'roun'  en  'roun',  en  over  en  under.  En  bimeby,  out  she  flip, 
en  I  boun'  she  grittin'  'er  toofies  en  gwine  'roun'  en  'roun' 
out  dar,  en  dodgin'  en  flippin'  des  lak  de  elements  wuz  full 
er  rafters  en  cobwebs. 

"Wen  she  flip  out  I  le'nt  my  head  back,  I  did,  en 
Jt  wa'n't  no  time  'fo'  I  git  mix  up  wid  my  notions.  Dat 
Bat  wings  so  limber  en  'er  will  so  good  dat  she  done  done 
'er  day's  work  dar  'fo'  you  could  'er  run  ter  de  big  house 
en  back.  De  Bat  put  me  in  min'  er  folks,"  continued  Uncle 
Remus,  settling  himself  back  in  his  chair,  "  en  folks  put  me 
in  min'  er  de  creeturs." 

Immediately  the  little  boy  was  all  attention. 

"Dey  wuz  times,"  said  the  old  man,  with  something 
like  a  sigh,  "  w'en  de  creeturs  'ud  segashuate  tergedder  des 
like  dey  aint  had  no  fallin'  out.  Dem  wuz  de  times  w'en 
ole  Brer  Rabbit  'ud  'ten'  lak  he  gwine  quit  he  'havishness, 
en  dey  'd  all  go  'roun'  des  lak  dey  b'long  ter  de  same  fambly 
connexion. 

"  One  time  atter  dey  bin  gwine  in  cohoots  dis  a-way,  Brer 
Rabbit  'gun  ter  feel  his  fat,  he  did,  en  dis  make  'im  git  pro- 
jecky  terreckly.  De  mo'  peace  w'at  dey  had,  de  mo'  wuss 
Brer  Rabbit  feel,  twel  bimeby  he  git  restless  in  de  min'. 


THE  MOON  IN  THE  MILL-POND        103 

Wen  de  sun  shine  he  "d  go  en  lay  off  in  de  grass  en  kick  at 
de  gnats,  en  nibble  at  de  mullen  stalk  en  waller  in  de  san'. 
One  night  atter  supper,  w'iles  he  'uz  romancin'  'roun',  he 
run  up  wid  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  atter  dey  shuck  ban's  dey 
sot  down  on  de  side  er  de  road  en  run  on  'bout  ole  times. 
Dey  talk  en  dey  talk,  dey  did,  en  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  say 
it  done  come  ter  dat  pass  whar  he  bleedz  ter  have  some 
fun,  en  Brer  Tarrypin  'low  dat  Brer  Rabbit  des  de  ve'y 
man  he  bin  lookin'  fer. 

" '  Well  den,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  we  '11  des  put  Brer 
Fox,  en  Brer  Wolf,  en  Brer  B'ar  on  notice,  en  termorrer 
night  we'll  meet  down  by  de  mill-pon'  en  have  a  little 
fishin'  frolic.  I'll  do  de  talkin','  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee, 
*  en  you  kin  set  back  en  say  yea,'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  laugh. 

"Ef  I  aint  dar,'  sezee,  'den  you  may  know  de  grass 
hopper  done  fly  'way  wid  me/  sezee. 

En  you  neenter  bring  no  fiddle,  n'er,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit, 
sezee,  '  kaze  dey  aint  gwineter  be  no  dancin'  dar,'  sezee. 

"Wid  dat,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "Brer  Rabbit  put 
out  fer  home,  en  went  ter  bed,  en  Brer  Tarrypin  bruise 
'roun'  en  make  his  way  todes  de  place  so  he  kin  be  dar  'gin 
de  'p'inted  time. 

"  Nex'  day  Brer  Rabbit  sont  wud  ter  de  yuther  creeturs, 
en  dey  all  make  great  'miration,  kaze  dey  aint  think  'bout 
dis  deyse'f.  Brer  Fox,  he  'low,  he  did,  dat  he  gwine  atter 
Miss  Meadows  en  Miss  Motts,  en  de  yuther  gals. 

"Sho'  nuff,  w'en  de  time  come  dey  wuz  all  dar.  Brer 
B'ar,  he  fotch  a  hook  en  line;  Brer  Wolf,  he  fotch  a  hook 


104  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

en  line;  Brer  Fox,  he  fotch  a  dip-net,  en  Brer  Tarrypin, 
not  ter  be  outdone,  he  fotch  de  bait." 

"  What  did  Miss  Meadows  and  Miss  Motts  bring  ? "  the 
little  boy  asked. 

Uncle  Remus  dropped  his  head  slightly  to  one  side,  and 
looked  over  his  spectacles  at  the  little  boy. 

"Miss  Meadows  en  Miss  Motts,"  he  continued,  "dey 
tuck'n.stan'  way  back  fum  de  aidge  er  de  pon'  en  squeal 
eve'y  time  Brer  Tarrypin  shuck  de  box  er  bait  at  um. 
Brer  B'ar  'low  he  gwine  ter  fish  fer  mud-cats;  Brer  Wolf 
'low  he  gwine  ter  fish  fer  horneyheads;  Brer  Fox  'low  he 
gwine  ter  fish  fer  peerch  fer  de  ladies ;  Brer  Tarrypin  'low 
he  gwine  ter  fish  fer  minners,  en  Brer  Rabbit  wink  at  Brer 
Tarrypin  en  'low  he  gwine  ter  fish  fer  suckers. 

"  Dey  all  git  ready,  dey  did,  en  Brer  Rabbit  march  up 
ter  de  pon'  en  make  fer  ter  th'ow  he  hook  in  de  water,  but 
des  'bout  dat  time  hit  seem  lak  he  see  sump'n'.  De  t'er 
creeturs,  dey  stop  en  watch  his  motions.  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
drap  he  pole,  he  did,  en  he  stan'  dar  scratchin'  he  head  en 
lookin'  down  in  de  water. 

"De  gals  dey  'gun  ter  git  oneasy  w'en  dey  see  dis,  en 
Miss  Meadows,  she  up  en  holler  out,  she  did  : 

"'Law,  Brer  Rabbit,  w'at  de  name  er  goodness  de 
marter  in  dar  ? ' 

"Brer  Rabbit  scratch  he  head  en  look  in  de  water. 
Miss  Motts,  she  hilt  up  'er  petticoats,  she  did,  en  'low  she 
monst'us  fear'd  er  snakes.  Brer  Rabbit  keep  on  scratchin' 
en  lookin'. 

"  Bimeby  he  fetch  a  long  bref ,  he  did,  en  he  'low : 


THE  MOON  IN  THE  MILL-POND       105 

"  *  Ladies  en  gentermuns  all,  we  des  might  ez  well  make 
tracks  fum  dish  yer  place,  kaze  dey  aint  no  fishin'  in  dat 
pon'  fer  none  er  dish  yer  crowd.' 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  scramble  up  ter  de  aidge 
eri  look  over,  en  he  shake  he  head,  en  'low : 

"'Tooby  sho'— tooby  sho'!  Tut-tut-tut ! '  en  den  he 
crawl  back,  he  did,  en  do  lak  he  wukkin'  he  min'. 

" '  Don't  be  skeert,  ladies,  kaze  we  er  boun'  ter  take  keer 
un  you,  let  come  w'at  will,  let  go  w'at  mus','  sez  Brer 
Rabbit,  sezee.  '  Accidents  got  ter  happen  unter  we  all,  des 
same  ez  dey  is  unter  yuther  folks;  en  dey  aint  nuthin' 
much  de  marter,  'ceppin'  dat  de  Moon  done  drap  in  de 
water.  Ef  you  don't  b'leeve  me  you  kin  look  fer  yo'se'f,' 
sezee. 

"Wid  dat  dey  all  went  ter  de  bank  en  lookt  in;  en,  sho' 
miff,  dar  lay  de  Moon,  a-swingin'  an'  a-swayin'  at  de  bot 
tom  er  de  pon'." 

The  little  boy  laughed.  He  had  often  seen  the  reflection 
of  the  sky  in  shallow  pools  of  water,  and  the  startling 
depths  that  seemed  to  lie  at  his  feet  had  caused  him  to 
draw  back  with  a  shudder. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  look  in,  he  did,  en  he  'low,  'Well,  well, 
well!'  Brer  W'olf,  he  look  in,  en  he  'low,  *  Mighty  bad, 
mighty  bad!'  Brer  B'ar,  he  look  in,  en  he  'low,  'Turn, 
turn,  turn!'  De  ladies  dey  look  in,  en  Miss  Meadows  she 
squall  out,  '  Aint  dat  too  much  ? '  Brer  Rabbit,  he  look  in 
ag'in,  en  he  up  en  'low,  he  did: 

' '  Ladies  en  gentermuns,  you  all  kin  hum  en  haw,  but 
less'n  we  gits  dat  Moon  out  er  de  pon',  dey  aint  no  fish  kin 


106          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

be  ketch  'roun'  yer  dis  night;  en  ef  you  '11  ax  Brer  Tarrypin, 
he'll  tell  you  de  same.' 

"Den  dey  ax  how  kin  dey  git  de  Moon  out  er  dar,  en 
Brer  Tarrypin  'low  dey  better  lef  dat  wid  Brer  Rabbit. 
Brer  Rabbit  he  shot  he  eyes,  he  did,  en  make  lak  he 
wukkin'  he  min'.  Bimeby,  he  up'n  'low: 

"De  nighes'  way  out'n  dish  yer  diffikil  is  fer  ter  sen* 
'roun'  yer  to  ole  Mr.  Mud-Turkle  en  bony  his  sane,  en 
drag  dar  Moon  up  fum  dar,'  sezee. 

" '  I  'clar'  ter  gracious  I  mighty  glad  you  mention  dat/ 
says  Brer  Tarrypin,  sezee.  'Mr.  Mud-Turkle  is  setch 
clos't  kin  ter  me  dat  I  calls  'im  Unk  Muck,  en  I  lay  ef  you 
sen'  dar  atter  dat  sane  you  won't  fine  Unk  Muck  so  mighty 
disaccomerdatin' . ' 

"Well,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  after  one  of  his  tan 
talizing  pauses,  "dey  sont  atter  de  sane,  en  w?iles  Brer 
Rabbit  wuz  gone,  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  'low  dat  he  done 
year  tell  time  en  time  ag'in  dat  dem  w'at  fine  de  Moon 
in  de  water  en  fetch  'im  out,  lakwise  dey  ull  fetch  out  a 
pot  er  money.  Dis  make  Brer  Fox,  en  Brer  Wolf,  en  Brer 
B'ar  feel  mighty  good,  en  dey  'low,  dey  did,  dat  long  ez 
Brer  Rabbit  been  so  good  ez  ter  run  atter  de  sane,  dey  ull 
do  de  sanein'. 

"Time  Brer  Rabbit  git  back,  he  see  how  de  Ian'  lay, 
en  he  make  lak  he  wanter  go  in  atter  de  Moon.  He  pull 
off  he  coat,  en  he  'uz  fixin'  fer  ter  shuck  he  wescut,  but 
de  yuther  creeturs  dey  'low  dey  wa'n't  gwine  ter  let  dry- 
foot  man  lak  Brer  Rabbit  go  in  de  water.  So  Brer  Fox,  he 
tuck  holt  er  one  staff  er  de  sane,  Brer  Wolf  he  tuck  holt  er 


THE  MOON  IN  THE  MILL-POND       107 

de  yuther  staff,  en  Brer  B'ar  he  wade  'lo.ig  behime  fer  ter 
lif  de  sane  'cross  logs  en  snags. 

"  Dey  make  one  haul  —  no  Moon  ;  n'er  haul  —  no 
Moon  ;  n'er  haul  —  no  Moon.  Den  bimeby  dey  git  out 
furder  fum  de  bank.  Water  run  in  Brer  Fox  year,  he  shake 
he  head ;  water  run  in  Brer  Wolf  year,  he  shake  he  head ; 
water  run  in  Brer  B'ar  year,  he  shake  he  head.  En  de  fus' 
news  you  know,  w'iles  dey  wuz  a-shakin',  dey  come  to  whar 
de  bottom  shelf ed  off.  Brer  Fox  he  step  off  en  duck  his- 
se'f ;  den  Brer  Wolf  duck  hisse'f ;  en  Brer  B'ar  he  make  a 
splunge  en  duck  hisse'f;  en,  bless  gracious,  dey  kick  en 
splatter  twel  it  look  lak  dey  'uz  gwine  ter  slosh  all  de  water 
outer  de  raill-pon'. 

"  W'en  dey  come  out,  de  gals  'uz  all  a-snickerin'  en  a- 
gigglin',  en  dey  well  mought,  'kaze  go  whar  you  would,  dey 
wa'n't  no  wuss  lookin'  creeturs  dan  dem;  en  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  holler,  sezee : 

"'I  'speck  you  all,  gents,  better  go  home  en  git  some 
dry  duds,  en  n'er  time  we  '11  be  in  better  luck,'  sezee.  '  I 
hear  talk  dat  de  Moon  '11  bite  at  a  hook  ef  you  take  fools 
fer  baits,  en  I  lay  dat 's  de  onliest  way  fer  ter  ketch  'er,' 
sezee. 

"  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Wolf  en  Brer  B'ar  went  drippin'  off, 
en  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarrypin,  dey  went  home  wid 
de  gals." 


108  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

XX 

BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  SOME  EXERCISE 

ONE  night  while  the  little  boy  was  sitting  in  Uncle  Re- 
mus's  cabin,  waiting  for  the  old  man  to  finish  his  hoe- 
cake,  and  refresh  his  memory  as  to  the  further  adventures 
of  Brother  Rabbit,  his  friends  and  his  enemies,  some 
thing  dropped  upon  the  top  of  the  house  with  a  noise  like 
the  crack  of  a  pistol.  The  little  boy  jumped,  but  Uncle 
Remus  looked  up  and  exclaimed,  "  Ah-yi ! "  in  a  tone  of 
triumph. 

"What  was  that,  Uncle  Remus?"  the  child  asked, 
after  waiting  a  moment  to  see  what  else  would  happen. 

"News  fum  Jack  Fros',  honey.  Wen  dat  hick'y-nut 
tree  out  dar  year  5im  comin'  she  'gins  ter  drap  w'at  she 
got.  I  mighty  glad,"  he  continued,  scraping  the  burnt 
crust  from  his  hoe-cake  with  an  old  case-knife,  "  I  mighty 
glad  hick'y-nuts  aint  big  en  heavy  ez  grinestones." 

He  waited  a  moment  to  see  what  effect  this  queer  state 
ment  would  have  on  the  child. 

"  Yasser,  I  mighty  glad  —  dat  I  is.  'Kaze  ef  hick'y- 
nuts  'uz  big  ez  grinestones  dish  yer  ole  callyboose  'ud  be 
a-leakin'  long  'fo'  Chris'mus." 

Just  then  another  hickory-nut  dropped  upon  the  roof, 
and  the  little  boy  jumped  again.  This  seemed  to  amuse 
Uncle  Remus,  and  he  laughed  until  he  was  near  to  chok 
ing  himself  with  his  smoking  hoe-cake. 

"  You  does  des  'zackly  lak  ole  Brer  Rabbit  done,  I  'clar* 


BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  EXERCISE     109 

to  gracious  ef  you  don't ! "  the  old  man  cried,  as  soon  as 
he  could  get  his  breath;  "dez  zackly  fer  de  worl'." 

The  child  was  immensely  flattered,  and  at  once  he 
wanted  to  know  how  Brother  Rabbit  did.  Uncle  Remus 
was  in  such  good  humor  that  he  needed  no  coaxing.  He 
pushed  his  spectacles  back  on  his  forehead,  wiped  his 
mouth  on  his  sleeve,  and  began: 

"  Hit  come  'bout  dat  soon  one  mawnin'  todes  de  fall  er 
de  year,  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  stirrin'  'roun'  in  de  woods  atter 
some  bergamot  fer  ter  make  'im  some  h'ar-grease.  De 
win'  blow  so  col'  dat  it  make  'im  feel  right  frisky,  en  eve'y 
time  he  year  de  bushes  rattle  he  make  lak  he  skeerd.  He 
'uz  gwine  on  dis  a-way,  hoppity-skippity,  w'en  bimeby 
he  year  Mr.  Man  cuttin'  on  a  tree  way  off  in  de  woods. 
He  fotch  up,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  lissen  fus'  wid  one  year 
en  den  wid  de  yuther. 

"  Man,  he  cut  en  cut,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  lissen  en  lissen. 

Bimeby,  w'iles  all  dis  was  gwine  on,  down  come  de  tree 

—  kubber-lang-bang-blam  !    Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  jump 

des  lak  you  jump,  en  let  'lone  dat,  he  make  a  break,  he 

did,  en  he  lipt  out  fum  dar  lak  de  dogs  wuz  atter  'im." 

"Was  he  scared,  Uncle  Remus?"  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"Skeerd!  Who?  Him?  Shoo!  don't  you  fret  yo'se'f 
'bout  Brer  Rabbit,  honey.  In  dem  days  dey  wa'n't  nothin' 
gwine  dat  kin  skeer  Brer  Rabbit.  Tooby  sho',  he  tuck 
keer  hisse'f,  en  ef  you  know  de  man  w'at  'fuse  ter  take 
keer  hisse'f,  I  lak  mighty  well  ef  you  p'int  'im  out.  Deed'n 
dat  I  would!" 


110          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Uncle  Remus  seemed  to  boil  over  with  argumentative 
indignation. 

"Well,  den,"  he  continued,  "Brer  Rabbit  run  twel  he 
git  sorter  het  up  like,  en  des  'bout  de  time  he  makin'  ready 
fer  ter  squot  en  ketch  he  win',  who  should  he  meet  but 
Brer  Coon  gwine  home  atter  settin'  up  wid  ole  Brer  Bull- 
Frog.  Brer  Coon  see  'im  runnin',  en  he  hail  'im. 

"  *  W'at  yo'  hurry,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 

"  Aint  got  time  ter  tarry.' 

"' Folks  sick?' 

"  *  No,  my  Lord !  Aint  got  time  ter  tarry ! ' 

"  '  Tryin'  yo'  soopleness  ? ' 

"  '  No,  my  Lord !  Aint  got  time  ter  tarry ! ' 

"  *  Do  pray,  Brer  Rabbit,  tell  me  de  news ! ' 

"  *  Mighty  big  fuss  back  dar  in  de  woods.  Aint  got  time 
ter  tarry ! ' 

"  Dis  make  Brer  Coon  feel  mighty  skittish,  'kaze  he  fur 
ways  fum  home,  en  he  des  lipt  out,  he  did,  en  went  a- 
b'ilin'  thoo  de  woods.  Brer  Coon  aint  gone  fur  twel  he 
meet  Brer  Fox. 

' '  Hey,  Brer  Coon,  whar  you  gwine  ? ' 

* i  Aint  got  time  ter  tarry ! ' 

"' Gwine  at'  de  doctor?' 

" '  No,  my  Lord !  Aint  got  time  ter  tarry.' 

"'Do  pray,  Brer  Coon,  tell  me  de  news.' 

"  *  Mighty  quare  racket  back  dar  in  de  woods !  Aint  got 
time  ter  tarry ! ' 

"Wid  dat,  Brer  Fox  lipt  out,  he  did,  en  fa'rly  split  de 
win'.  He  aint  gone  fur  twel  he  meet  Brer  Wolf. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  EXERCISE     111 

"'Hey,  Brer  Fox!  Stop  en  res'  yo'se'f! 

' '  Aint  got  time  ter  tarry ! ' 

'  *  Who  bin  want  de  doctor  ? ' 

' '  No'ne,  my  Lord !  Aint  got  time  ter  tarry ! ' 

"Do  pray,  Brer  Fox,  good  er  bad,  tell  me  de  news.' 

"Mighty  kuse  fuss  back  dar  in  de  woods!  Aint  got 
time  ter  tarry ! ' 

"Wid  dat,  Brer  Wolf  shuck  hisse'f  loose  fum  de  face 
er  de  yeth,  en  he  aint  git  fur  twel  he  meet  Brer  B'ar.  Brer 
B'ar  he  ax,  en  Brer  Wolf  make  ans'er,  en  bimeby  Brer 
B'ar  he  fotch  a  snort  en  run'd  off  ;  en,  bless  gracious ! 
'twa'n't  long  'fo'  de  las'  one  er  de  creeturs  wuz  a-skaddlin' 
thoo  de  woods  lak  de  Ole  Boy  was  atter  um  —  en  all  'kaze 
Brer  Rabbit  year  Mr.  Man  cut  tree  down. 

"  Dey  run'd  en  dey  run'd,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "  twel 
dey  come  ter  Brer  Tarrypin  house,  en  dey  sorter  slack 
up  'kaze  dey  done  mighty  nigh  los'  der  win'.  Brer  Tarry- 
pin,  he  up'n  ax  um  wharbouts  dey  gwine,  en  dey  'low  dey 
wuz  a  morist'us  tarryfyin'  racket  back  dar  in  de  woods. 
Brer  Tarrypin,  he  ax  w'at  she  soun'  lak.  One  say  he  dunno, 
n'er  say  he  dunno,  den  dey  all  say  dey  dunno.  Den  Brer 
Tarrypin,  he  up'n  ax  who  year  dis  monst'us  racket.  One 
say  he  dunno,  n'er  say  he  dunno,  den  dey  all  say  dey  dunno. 
Dis  make  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  laff  'way  down  in  he  insides, 
en  he  up'n  say,  sezee : 

'"You  all  kin  run  'long  ef  you  feel  skittish,'  sezee.  'At 
ter  I  cook  my  brekkus  en  wash  up  de  dishes,  ef  I  gits  win' 
er  any  'spicious  racket  maybe  I  mought  take  down  my 
pairsol  en  f oiler  long  atter  you,'  sezee. 


112          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Wen  de  creeturs  come  ter  make  inquirements  'mungs 
one  er  n'er  'bout  who  start  de  news,  hit  went  right  spang 
back  ter  Brer  Rabbit,  but,  lo  en  beholes!  Brer  Rabbit 
aint  dar,  en  it  tu'n  out  dat  Brer  Coon  is  de  man  w'at 
seed  'im  las'.  Den  dey  got  ter  layin'  de  blame  un  it 
on  one  er  n'er,  en  little  mo'  en  dey'd  er  fit  dar  scan'- 
lous,  but  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  up'n  'low  dat  ef  dey 
want  ter  git  de  straight  un  it,  dey  better  go  see  Brer 
Rabbit. 

"All  de  creeturs  wuz  'gree'ble,  en  dey  put  out  ter  Brer 
Rabbit  house.  Wen  dey  git  dar,  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  a-settin* 
cross-legged  in  de  front  po'ch  winkin'  he  eye  at  de  sun. 
Brer  B'ar,  he  speak  up : 

" '  Wat  make  you  fool  me,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 

"'Fool  who,  Brer  B'ar?' 

"'Me,  Brer  Rabbit,  dat's  who.' 

"'Dish  yer  de  fus'  time  I  seed  you  dis  day,  Brer  B'ar, 
en  you  er  mo'  dan  welcome  ter  dat.' 

"  Dey  all  ax  'im  en  git  de  same  ans'er,  en  den  Brer  Coon 
put  in: 

'"Wat  make  you  fool  me,  Brer  Rabbit ?' 

" '  How  I  fool  you,  Brer  Coon  ? ' 

"'You  make  lak  dey  wuz  a  big  racket,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

"'Dey  sholy  wuz  a  big  racket,  Brer  Coon.' 

" '  Wat  kinder  racket,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 

"'  Ah-yi  I  You  oughter  ax  me  dat  fus',  Brer  Coon.' 

'"I  axes  you  now,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

'"Mr.  Man  cut  tree  down,  Brer  Coon.' 

"  Co'se  dis  make  Brer  Coon  feel  like  a  nat'al-born  Slink. 


WHY  BROTHER  BEAR  HAS  NO  TAIL     113 

en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  all  de  creeturs  make  der  bow  ter  Brer 
Rabbit  en  mosey  off  home." 

"  Brother  Rabbit  had  the  best  of  it  all  along,"  said  the 
little  boy,  after  waiting  to  see  whether  there  was  a  sequel 
to  the  story. 

"  Oh,  he  did  dat  a-way ! "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus. 
"  Brer  Rabbit  was  a  mighty  man  in  dem  days." 


XXI 
WHY  BROTHER  BEAR  HAS  NO  TAIL 

"I  'CLAR'  ter  gracious,  honey,"  Uncle  Remus  exclaimed 
one  night,  as  the  little  boy  ran  in,  "  you  sholy  aint  chaw'd 
yo'  vittles.  Hit  aint  bin  no  time,  skacely,  sence  de  supper- 
bell  rung,  en  ef  you  go  on  dis  a-way,  you  '11  des  nat'ally 
pe'sh  yo'se'f  out." 

"  Oh,  I  was  n't  hungry,"  said  the  little  boy.  "  I 
had  something  before  supper,  and  I  was  n't  hungry 
anyway." 

The  old  man  looked  keenly  at  the  child,  and  presently 
he  said: 

"  De  ins  en  de  outs  er  dat  kinder  talk  all  come  ter  de 
same  p'int  in  my  min'.  Youer  bin  a-cuttin'  up  at  de  table, 
en  Mars  John,  he  tuck'n  sont  you  'way  fum  dar,  en  w'iles 
he  think  youer  off  some'rs  a-snifflin'  en  a-feelin'  bad,  yer 
you  is  a-high-primin'  'roun'  des  lak  you  done  had  mo* 
supper  dan  de  King  er  Philanders." 

Before  the  little  boy  could  inquire  about  the  King  of 


114  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Philanders  he  heard  his  father  calling  him.  He  started  to 
go  out,  but  Uncle  Remus  motioned  him  back. 

"  Des  set  right  whar  you  is,  honey, —  des  set  right  still." 

Then  Uncle  Remus  went  to  the  door  and  answered  for 
the  child  ;  and  a  very  queer  answer  it  was  —  one  that 
could  be  heard  half  over  the  plantation : 

"Mars  John,  I  wish  you  en  Miss  Sally  be  so  good 
ez  ter  let  dat  chile  'lone.  He  down  yer  cry  in'  he  eyes 
out,  en  he  aint  bodderin'  'long  er  nobody  in  de  roun' 
worl'." 

Uncle  Remus  stood  in  the  door  a  moment  to  see  what 
the  reply  would  be,  but  he  heard  none.  Thereupon  he 
continued,  in  the  same  loud  tone: 

"  I  aint  bin  use  ter  no  sich  gwines  on  in  Ole  Miss  time, 
en  I  aint  gwine  git  use  ter  it  now.  Dat  I  aint." 

Presently  'Tildy,  the  house-girl,  brought  the  little  boy  his 
supper,  and  the  girl  was  no  sooner  out  of  hearing  than  the 
child  swapped  it  with  Uncle  Remus  for  a  roasted  yam,  and 
the  enjoyment  of  both  seemed  to  be  complete. 

"Uncle  Remus,"  said  the  little  boy,  after  a  while,  "you 
know  I  was  n't  crying  just  now." 

"  Dat 's  so,  honey,"  the  old  man  replied,  "  but 't  would  n't 
er  bin  long  'fo'  you  would  er  bin,  kaze  Mars  John  bawl 
out  lak  a  man  w'at  got  a  strop  in  he  han',  so  w'at  de 
diffunce?" 

When  they  had  finished  eating,  Uncle  Remus  busied 
himself  in  cutting  and  trimming  some  sole-leather  for 
future  use.  His  knife  was  so  keen,  and  the  leather  fell 
away  from  it  so  smoothly  and  easily,  that  the  little  boy 


WHY  BROTHER  BEAR  HAS  NO  TAIL     115 

wanted  to  trim  some  himself.  But  to  this  Uncle  Remus 
would  not  listen. 

"  'T  aint  on'y  chilluns  w'at  got  de  consate  er  doin'  eve'y- 
thing  dey  see  yuther  folks  do.  Hit's  grown  folks  w'at 
oughter  know  bettet,"  said  the  old  man.  "Dat's  des  de 
way  Brer  B'ar  git  his  tail  broke  off  smick-smack-smoove, 
en  down  ter  dis  day  he  de  funnies' -lookin'  creetur  w'at 
wobble  on  top  er  dry  groun'." 

Instantly  the  little  boy  forgot  all  about  Uncle  Remus's 
sharp  knife. 

"Hit  seem  lak  dat  in  dem  days  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer 
Tarrypin  done  gone  in  cohoots  fer  ter  outdo  de  t'er  cree- 
turs.  One  time  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  make  a  call  on  Brer 
Tarrypin,  but  w'en  he  git  ter  Brer  Tarrypin  house,  he 
year  talk  fum  Miss  Tarrypin  dat  her  ole  man  done  gone 
fer  ter  spen'  de  day  wid  Mr.  Mud-Turkle,  w'ich  dey  wuz 
blood  kin.  Brer  Rabbit  he  put  out  atter  Brer  Tarrypin, 
en  w'en  he  got  ter  Mr.  Mud-Turkle  house,  dey  all  sot  up, 
dey  did,  en  tole  tales,  en  den  w'en  twelf  er' clock  come  dey 
had  crawfish  fer  dinner,  en  dey  'joy  deyse'f  right  erlong. 
Atter  dinner  dey  went  down  ter  Mr.  Mud-Turkle  mill-pon', 
en  w'en  dey  git  dar  Mr.  Mud-Turkle  en  Brer  Tarrypin  dey 
'muse  deyse'f,  dey  did,  wid  slidin'  fum  de  top  uv  a  big 
slantin'  rock  down  inter  de  water. 

"  I  'speck  you  moughter  seen  rocks  in  de  water  'fo'  now, 
whar  dey  git  green  en  slipp'y,"  said  Uncle  Remus. 

The  little  boy  had  not  only  seen  them,  but  had  found 
them  to  be  very  dangerous  to  walk  upon,  and  the  old  man 
continued : 


116  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Well,  den,  dish  yer  rock  wuz  mighty  slick  en  mighty 
slantin'.  Mr.  Mud-Turkle,  he  'd  crawl  ter  de  top,  en  tu'n 
loose,  en  go  a-sailin'  down  inter  de  water  —  ker  splash  ! 
Ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  he'd  foller  atter,  en  slide  down  inter 
de  water  —  kersplash  I  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sot  off,  he  did, 
en  praise  um  up. 

"  W'iles  dey  wuz  a-gwine  on  dis  a- way,  a-havin'  der  fun, 
en  'joyin'  deyse'f,  yer  come  ole  Brer  B'ar.  He  year  um 
laffin'  en  holl'in',  en  he  hail  um. 

" '  Heyo,  folks !  Wat  all  dis  ?  Ef  my  eye  aint  'ceive  me, 
dish  yer's  Brer  Rabbit,  en  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  ole  Unk' 
Tommy  Mud-Turkle,'  sez  Brer  B'ar,  sezee. 

"De  same,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'en  yer  we  is 
'joyin'  de  day  dat  passes  des  lak  dey  wa'n't  no  hard 
times.' 

"'Well,  well,  well!'  sez  ole  Brer  B'ar,  sezee,  'a-slippin' 
en  a-slidin'  en  makin'  free!  En  w'at  de  matter  wid  Brer 
Rabbit  dat  he  aint  j'inin'  in  ? '  sezee. 

"Ole  Brer  Rabbit  he  wink  at  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  Brer 
Tarrypin  he  hunch  Mr.  Mud-Turkle,  en  den  Brer  Rabbit 
he  up'n  'low,  he  did: 

"'My  goodness,  Brer  B'ar!  you  can't  'speck  a  man  fer 
ter  slip  en  slide  de  whole  blessid  day,  kin  you  ?  I  done  had 
my  fun,  en  now  I  'm  a-settin'  out  yer  lettin'  my  cloze  dry. 
Hit 's  tu'n  en  tu'n  about  wid  me  en  deze  gents  w'en  dey 's 
any  fun  gwine  on,'  sezee. 

"'Maybe  Brer  B'ar  might  jine  in  wid  us,'  sez  Brer 
Tarrypin,  sezee. 

"Brer  Rabbit  he  des  holler  en  laff. 


WHY  BROTHER  BEAR  HAS  NO  TAIL     117 

"'Shoo!'  sezee,  'Brer  B'ar  foot  too  big  en  he  tail  too 
long  fer  ter  slide  down  dat  rock,'  sezee. 

'*  Dis  kinder  put  Brer  B'ar  on  he  mettle,  en  he  up'n 
'spon',  he  did: 

" '  Maybe  dey  is,  en  maybe  dey  aint,  yit  I  aint  a-feared 
ter  try.' 

"Wid  dat  de  yuthers  tuck'n  made  way  fer  Jim,  en  ole 
Brer  B'ar  he  git  up  on  de  rock,  he  did,  en  squot  down  on 
he  hunkers,  en  quile  he  tail  und'  'im,  en  start  down.  Fus* 
he  go  sorter  slow,  en  he  grin  lak  he  feel  good;  den  he  go 
sorter  peart,  en  he  grin  lak  he  feel  bad;  den  he  go  mo' 
pearter,  en  he  grin  lak  he  skeerd;  den  he  strack  de  slick 
part,  en,  gentermens !  he  s waller  de  grin  en  fetch  a  howl 
dat  moughter  bin  yeard  a  mile,  en  he  hit  de  water  lak  a 
chimbly  a-fallin'. 

"You  kin  gimme  denial,"  Uncle  Remus  continued 
after  a  little  pause,  "  but  des  ez  sho'  ez  you  er  settin'  dar, 
w'en  Brer  B'ar  slick'd  up  en  flew  down  dat  rock,  he  break 
off  he  tail  right  smick-smack-smoove,  en  mo'n  dat,  w'en 
he  make  his  disappear' nee  up  de  big  road,  Brer  Rabbit 
holler  out: 

"'Brer  B'ar!  — O  Brer  B'ar!  I  year  tell  dat  flaxseed 
poultices  is  mighty  good  fer  so'  places ! ' 

"Yit  Brer  B'ar  aint  look  back." 


118          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

XXII 

HOW    BROTHER    RABBIT    FRIGHTENED    HIS 
NEIGHBORS 

WHEN  Uncle  Remus  was  in  a  good  humor  he  turned 
the  most  trifling  incidents  into  excuses  for  amusing  the 
little  boy  with  his  stories.  One  night  while  he  was  hunt 
ing  for  a  piece  of  candle  on  the  shelf  that  took  the 
place  of  a  mantel  over  the  fireplace,  he  knocked  down 
a  tin  plate.  It  fell  upon  the  hearth  with  a  tremendous 
clatter. 

"  Dar  now ! "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus.  "  Hit 's  a  blessin' 
dat  dat  ar  platter  is  got  mo'  backbone  dan  de  common  run 
er  crockery,  'kaze  't  would  er  bin  bust  all  ter  flinderations 
long  time  ago.  Dat  ar  platter  is  got  dents  on  it  w'at  Miss 
Sally  put  dar  w'en  she  'uz  a  little  bit  er  gal.  Yet  dar  't  is, 
en  right  dis  minnit  hit  '11  hoi'  mo'  vittles  dan  w'at  I  got  ter 
put  in  it. 

"  I  lay,"  the  old  man  continued,  leaning  his  hand  against 
the  chimney  and  gazing  at  the  little  boy  reflectively,  —  "I 
lay  ef  de  creeturs  had  a  bin  yer  w'iles  all  dat  clatterment 
gwine  on  dey  'd  a  lef  bidout  tellin'  anybody  good-bye.  All 
'ceppin'  Brer  Rabbit.  Bless  yo'  soul,  he'd  er  stayed  fer 
ter  see  de  fun,  des  lak  he  did  dat  t'er  time  w'en  he  skeer 
um  all  so.  I  'speck  I  done  tole  you  'bout  dat." 

"When  he  got  the  honey  on  him  and  rolled  in  the 
leaves  ?  " 

Uncle  Remus  thought  a  moment. 


FRIGHTENS  HIS  NEIGHBORS  119 

"  Ef  I  make  no  mistakes  in  my  'membunce,  dat  wuz  de 
time  w'en  he  call  hisse'f  de  Wull-er-de-Wust." 

The  little  boy  corroborated  Uncle  Remus's  memory. 

"  Well,  den,  dish  yer  wuz  n'er  time,  en  he  lak  ter  skeer 
um  plum  out'n  de  settlement.  En  it  all  come  'bout  'kaze 
dey  wanter  play  smarty." 

"  Who  wanted  to  play  smarty,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  asked 
the  child. 

"  Oh,  des  dem  t'er  creeturs.  Dey  wuz  allers  a-layin' 
traps  fer  Brer  Rabbit  en  gittin'  cotch  in  um  deyse'f,  en 
dey  wuz  allers  a-pursooin'  atter  'im  day  in  en  day  out. 
I  aint  'nyin'  but  w'at  some  er  Brer  Rabbit  pranks  wuz 
mighty  ha'sh,  but  w'y'n't  dey  let  'im  'lone  deyse'f  ? " 

Naturally,  the  little  boy  was  not  prepared  to  meet  these 
arguments,  even  had  their  gravity  been  less  impressive, 
so  he  said  nothing. 

"In  dem  days,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "de  creeturs 
wuz  same  lak  folks.  Dey  had  der  ups  en  dey  had  der  downs; 
dey  had  der  hard  times,  and  dey  had  der  saf  times.  Some 
seasons  der  craps  'ud  be  good,  en  some  seasons  dey'd  be 
bad.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  far'd  lak  de  res' un  um.  W'at  he'd 
make,  dat  he'd  spen'.  One  season  he  tuck'n  made  a  fine 
chance  er  goobers,  en  he  'low,  he  did,  dat  ef  dey  fetch  'im 
anywhars  nigh  de  money  w'at  he  'speck  dey  would,  he  go 
ter  town  en  buy  de  truck  w'at  needcessity  call  fer. 

"He  aint  no  sooner  say  dat  dan  ole  Miss  Rabbit,  she 
vow,  she  did,  dat  it  be  a  scannul  en  a  shame  ef  he  don't 
whirl  in  en  git  sevin  tin  cups  fer  de  chilluns  fer  ter  drink 
out'n,  en  sevin  tin  plates  fer'm  fer  ter  sop  out'n,  en  a 


120  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

coffee-pot  fer  de  fambly.  Brer  Rabbit  say  dat  des  zackly 
w'at  he  gwine  do,  en  he  'low,  he  did,  dat  he  gwine  ter  town 
de  comin'  We'n'sday." 

Uncle  Remus  paused,  and  indulged  in  a  hearty  laugh 
before  he  resumed: 

"  Brer  Rabbit  wa'n't  mo'n  out'n  de  gate  'fo'  Miss  Rab 
bit,  she  slap  on  'er  bonnet,  she  did,  en  rush  'cross  ter  Miss 
Mink  house,  en  she  aint  bin  dar  a  minnit  'fo'  she  up'n 
tell  Miss  Mink  dat  Brer  Rabbit  done  promise  ter  go  ter 
town  We'n'sday  comin'  en  git  de  chilluns  sump'n'.  Co'se, 
w'en  Mr.  Mink  come  home,  Miss  Mink  she  up'n  'low  she 
want  ter  know  w'at  de  reason  he  can't  buy  sump'n'  fer  his 
chilluns  same  ez  Brer  Rabbit  do  fer  his'n,  en  dey  quo'll 
en  quo'll  des  lak  folks.  Atter  dat  Miss  Mink  she  kyar 
de  news  ter  Miss  Fox,  en  den  Brer  Fox  he  tuck'n  got  a 
rakin'  over  de  coals.  Miss  Fox  she  tell  Miss  Wolf,  en  Miss 
Wolf  she  tell  Miss  B'ar,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  ev'ybody 
in  dem  diggin's  know  dat  Brer  Rabbit  gwine  ter  town  de 
comin'  We'n'sday  fer  ter  git  his  chilluns  sump'n';  en  all 
de  yuther  creeturs'  chilluns  ax  der  ma  w'at  de  reason  der 
pa  can't  git  dem  sump'n'.  So  dar  it  went. 

"Brer  Fox,  en  Brer  Wolf,  en  Brer  B'ar,  dey  make  up 
der  mines,  dey  did,  dat  ef  dey  gwine  ter  ketch  up  wid  Brer 
Rabbit,  dat  wuz  de  time,  en  dey  fix  up  a  plan  dat  dey  'd  lay 
fer  Brer  Rabbit  en  nab  'im  w'en  he  come  back  fum  town. 
Dey  tuck'n  make  all  der  'rangerments,  en  wait  fer  de  day. 

"  Sho'  miff,  w'en  We'n'sday  come,  Brer  Rabbit  e't  he 
brekkus  'fo'  sun-up,  en  put  out  fer  town.  He  tuck'n  got 
hisse'f  a  dram,  en  a  plug  er  terbarker,  en  a  pocket-hank- 


FRIGHTENS  HIS  NEIGHBORS  121 

cher,  en  he  got  de  ole  'oman  a  coffee-pot,  en  he  got  de  chil- 
lun  sevin  tin  cups  en  sevin  tin  plates,  en  den  todes  sundown 
he  start  back  home.  He  walk  'long,  he  did,  feelin'  mighty 
biggity,  but  bimeby  w'en  he  git  sorter  tired,  he  sot  down 
und'  a  black-jack  tree,  en  'gun  to  fan  hisse'f  wid  one  er  der 
platters. 

"Wiles  he  doin'  dis  a  little  bit  er  teenchy  sap-sucker 
run  up'n  down  de  tree  en  keep  on  makin'  mighty  quare 
fuss.  Atter  w'ile  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  shoo  at  'im  wid  de 
platter.  Seem  lak  dis  make  de  teenchy  little  sap-sucker 
mighty  mad,  en  he  rush  out  on  a  lim'  right  over  Brer 
Rabbit,  en  he  sing  out: 

"  *  P  illy -pee,  pilty-wee  I 
I  see  w'at  he  no  see  ! 
I  see,  pilly-pee, 
I  see,  w'at  he  no  see  ! 

"  He  keep  on  singin'  dis,  he  did,  twel  Brer  Rabbit  'gun 
ter  look  'roun',  en  he  aint  no  sooner  do  dis  dan  he  see 
marks  in  de  san'  whar  sum  un  done  bin  dar  'fo'  'im,  en 
he  look  little  closer  en  den  he  see  w'at  de  sap-sucker  drivin* 
at.  He  scratch  his  head,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  he  'low  ter 
hisse'f: 

"'Ah-yi!  Yer  whar  Brer  Fox  bin  settin',  en  dar  de 
print  er  he  nice  bushy  tail.  Yer  whar  Brer  Wolf  bin  settin', 
en  dar  de  print  er  he  fine  long  tail.  Yer  whar  Brer  B'ar 
bin  squattin'  on  he  hunkers,  en  dar  de  print  w'ich  he  aint 
got  no  tail.  Dey  er  all  bin  yer,  en  I  lay  dey  er  hidin'  out  in 
de  big  gully  down  dar  in  de  holler.' 


NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Wid  dat,  ole  man  Rab  tuck'n  put  he  truck  in  de  bushes, 
en  den  he  run  'way  'roun'  fer  ter  see  w'at  he  kin  see.  Sho' 
nuff,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  with  a  curious  air  of  ela 
tion,  —  "  sho'  nuff,  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  git  over  agin  de  big 
gully  down  in  de  holler,  dar  dey  wuz.  Brer  Fox,  he  'uz  on 
one  side  er  de  road,  en  Brer  Wolf  'uz  on  de  t'er  side;  en 
ole  Brer  B'ar  he  'uz  quiled  up  in  de  gully  takin'  a  nap. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  peep  at  um,  he  did,  en  he  lick 
he  foot  en  roach  back  he  h'ar,  en  den  hoi'  his  han's  'cross 
he  mouf  en  laff  lak  some  chilluns  does  w'en  dey  t'ink  dey 
er  foolin'  der  ma." 

"  Not  me,  Uncle  Remus  —  not  me ! "  exclaimed  the 
little  boy  promptly. 

"Heyodar!  don't  kick 'fo' you  er  spurred,  honey !  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  seed  um  all  dar,  en  he  tuck'n  grin,  he  did,  en 
den  he  lit  out  ter  whar  he  done  lef  he  truck,  en  w'en  he  git 
dar  he  dance  'roun'  en  slap  hisse'f  on  de  leg,  en  make  all 
sorts  er  kuse  motions.  Den  he  go  ter  wuk  en  tu'n  de  coffee 
pot  upside  down  en  stick  it  on  he  head  ;  den  he  run  he 
gallus  thoo  de  han'les  er  de  cups,  en  sling  um  crosst  he 
shoulder  ;  den  he  'vide  de  platters,  some  in  one  han'  en 
some  in  de  yuther.  Atter  he  git  good  en  ready,  he  crope  ter 
de  top  er  de  hill,  de  did,  en  tuck  a  runnin'  start,  en  flew 
down  like  a  harrycane  —  rickety,  rackety,  slambang  I " 

The  little  boy  clapped  his  hands  enthusiastically. 

"  Bless  yo'  soul,  dem  creeturs  aint  year  no  fuss  lak  dat, 
en  dey  aint  seed  no  man  w'at  look  lak  Brer  Rabbit  do,  wid 
de  coffee-pot  on  he  head,  en  de  cups  a-rattlin'  on  he  gallus, 
en  de  platters  a-wavin'  en  a-shinin'  in  de  a'r. 


MR.  MAN  HAS  SOME  MEAT  123 

"  Now,  mine  you,  ole  Brer  B'ar  wuz  layir'  off  up  de  gully 
takin'  a  nap,  en  de  fuss  skeer  'im  so  bad  dat  he  make  a 
break  eri  run  over  Brer  Fox.  He  rush  out  in  de  road,  he 
did,  en  w'en  he  see  de  sight,  he  whirl  'roun'  en  run  over 
Brer  Wolf.  Wid  der  scramblin'  en  der  scufflin',  Brer  Rab 
bit  got  right  on  um  'fo'  dey  kin  git  away.  He  holler  out, 
he  did: 

4 '  Gimme  room !  Tu'n  me  loose !  I  'm  ole  man  Spewter- 
Splutter  wid  long  claws,  en  scales  on  my  back !  I  'm  snaggle- 
toofed  en  double-j'inted!  Gimme  room!' 

"  Eve'y  time  he  'd  fetch  a  whoop,  he  'd  rattle  de  cups  en 
slap  de  platters  tergedder  —  rickety,  rackety,  slambang  ! 
En  I  let  you  know  w'en  dem  creeturs  got  dey  lim's  ter 
gedder  dey  split  de  win',  dey  did  dat.  Ole  Brer  B'ar,  he 
struck  a  stump  w'at  stan'  in  de  way,  en  I  aint  gwine  tell 
you  how  he  to'  it  up  'kaze  you  won't  b'leeve  me,  but  de 
nex'  mawnin'  Brer  Rabbit  en  his  chilluns  went  back  dar, 
dey  did,  en  dey  got  nuff  splinters  fer  ter  make  um  kin'lin' 
wood  all  de  winter.  Yasser!  Des  ez  sho'  ez  I'm  a-settin* 
by  dish  yer  h'ath." 

XXIII 
MR.  MAN  HAS  SOME  MEAT 

THE  little  boy  sat  watching  Uncle  Remus  sharpen  his 
shoe-knife.  The  old  man's  head  moved  in  sympathy  with 
his  hands,  and  he  mumbled  fragments  of  a  song.  Occa 
sionally  he  would  feel  of  the  edge  of  the  blade  with  his 
thumb,  and  then  begin  to  sharpen  it  again.  The  comical 


124  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

appearance  of  the  venerable  darkey  finally  had  its  effect 
upon  the  child,  for  suddenly  he  broke  into  a  hearty  peal 
of  laughter  ;  whereupon  Uncle  Remus  stopped  shaking 
his  head  and  singing  his  mumbly-song,  and  assumed  a 
very  dignified  attitude.  Then  he  drew  a  long,  deep  breath, 
and  said: 

"  Wen  folks  git  ole  en  strucken  wid  de  palsy,  dey  mus' 
'speck  ter  be  laff'd  at.  Goodness  knows,  I  bin  use  ter  dat 
sence  de  day  my  whiskers  'gun  to  bleach." 

"  Why,  I  was  n't  laughing  at  you,  Uncle  Remus  ;  I 
declare  I  was  n't,"  cried  the  little  boy.  "  I  thought  maybe 
you  might  be  doing  your  head  like  Brother  Rabbit  did 
when  he  was  fixing  to  cut  his  meat." 

Uncle  Remus's  seriousness  was  immediately  driven 
away  by  a  broad  and  appreciative  grin. 

"Now,  dat  de  way  ter  talk,  honey,  en  I  boun'  you 
wa'n't  fur  wrong,  n'er,  'kaze  fer  all  dey  '11  tell  you  dat 
Brer  Rabbit  make  he  livin'  'long  er  nibblin'  at  grass  en 
greens,  hit 't  wa'n't  dat  a-way  in  dem  days,  'kaze  I  got 
in  my  'membunce  right  now  de  'casion  whar  Brer  Rabbit 
is  tuck'n  e't  meat." 

The  little  boy  had  learned  that  it  was  not  best  to  make 
any  display  of  impatience,  and  so  he  waited  quietly  while 
Uncle  Remus  busied  himself  with  arranging  the  tools  on 
his  shoe-bench.  Presently  the  old  man  began : 

"Hit  so  happen  dat  one  day  Brer  Rabbit  meet  up  wid 
Brer  Fox,  en  w'en  dey  'quire  atter  der  corporosity,  dey  fine 
out  dat  bofe  un  um  mighty  po'ly.  Brer  Fox,  he  'low,  he 
do,  dat  he  monst'us  hongry,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  'spon'  dat 


MR.  MAN  HAS  SOME  MEAT  125 

he  got  a  mighty  hankerin'  atter  vittles  Lisse'f.  Bimeby 
dey  look  up  de  big  road,  en  dey  see  Mr.  Man  comin' 
'long  wid  a  great  big  hunk  er  beef  und'  he  arm.  Brer  Fox 
he  up'n  'low,  he  did,  dat  he  lak  mighty  well  fer  ter  git  a 
tas'e  er  dat,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  'low  dat  de  sight  er  dat 
nice  meat  all  lineded  wid  taller  is  nuff  fer  ter  run  a  body 
'stracted. 

"  Mr.  Man  he  come  en  he  come  'long.  Brer  Rabbit  en 
Brer  Fox  dey  look  en  dey  look  at  'im.  Dey  wink  der  eye 
en  der  mouf  water.  Brer  Rabbit  he  'low  he  bleedz  ter  git 
some  er  dat  meat.  Brer  Fox  he  'spon',  he  did,  dat  it  look 
mighty  fur  off  ter  him.  Den  Brer  Rabbit  tell  Brer  Fox 
fer  ter  foller  'long  atter  'im  in  hailin'  distuns,  en  wid  dat  he 
put  out,  he  did,  en  't  wa'n't  •  long  'fo'  he  kotch  up  wid 
Mr.  Man. 

"  Dey  pass  de  time  er  day,  en  den  dey  went  joggin'  'long 
de  road  same  lak  dey  'uz  gwine  'pun  a  journey.  Brer 
Rabbit  he  keep  on  snuffin'  de  a'r.  Mr.  Man  up'n  ax  'im 
is  he  got  a  bad  cole,  en  Brer  Rabbit  'spon'  dat  he  smell 
sump'n'  w'ich  it  don't  smell  like  ripe  peaches.  Bimeby, 
Brer  Rabbit  'gun  to  hoi'  he  nose,  he  did,  en  atter  w'ile 
he  sing  out : 

" '  Gracious  en  de  goodness,  Mr.  Man !  hit 's  dat  meat  er 
yone.  Phew  !  Whar'bouts  is  you  pick  up  dat  meat  at  ? ' 

"  Dis  make  Mr.  Man  feel  sorter  'shame'  hisse'f,  en  ter 
make  marters  wuss,  yer  come  a  great  big  green  fly  a-zoon- 
in'  'roun'.  Brer  Rabbit  he  git  way  off  on  t'er  side  er  de 
road,  en  he  keep  on  hol'in'  he  nose.  Mr.  Man,  he  look 
sorter  sheepish,  he  did,  en  dey  aint  gone  fur  'fo'  he  put  de 


126  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

meat  down  on  de  side  er  de  road,  en  he  tuck'n  ax  Brer 
Rabbit  w'at  dey  gwine  do  'bout  it.  Brer  Rabbit  he  'low, 
he  did: 

" '  I  year  tell  in  my  time  dat  ef  you  take'n  drag  a  piece 
er  meat  thoo'  de  dus'  hit '11  fetch  back  hits  freshness.  I 
aint  no  superspicious  man  myse'f,'  sezee,  'en  I  aint  got 
no  'speunce  wid  no  sech  doin's,  but  dem  w'at  tell  me 
say  dey  done  try  it.  Yit  I  knows  dis,'  says  Brer  Rabbit, 
sezee,  — '  I  knows  dat  't  aint  gwine  do  no  harm,  'kaze 
de  grit  w'at  gits  on  de  meat  kin  be  wash  off/  sez  Brer 
Rabbit,  sezee. 

' '  I  aint  got  no  string,'  sez  Mr.  Man,  sezee. 

"Brer  Rabbit  laff  hearty,  but  still  he  hoi'  he  nose. 

"Time  you  bin  in  de  bushes  long  ez  I  is,  you  won't 
miss  strings,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  Rabbit  lipt  out,  en  he  aint  gone  long  'fo* 
he  come  hoppin'  back  wid  a  whole  passel  er  bamboo  vines 
all  tied  tergedder.  Mr.  Man,  he  'low : 

"'Dat  line  mighty  long.' 

"Brer  Rabbit  he  'low: 

"'  Tooby  sho',  you  want  de  win'  fer  ter  git  'twix'  you  en 
dat  meat.' 

"  Den  Mr.  Man  tuck'n  tied  de  bamboo  line  ter  de  meat. 
Brer  Rabbit  he  broke  off  a  'simmon  bush,  he  did,  en  'low 
dat  he  'd  stay  behime  en  keep  de  flies  off.  Mr.  Man  he  go 
on  befo'  en  drag  de  meat,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  stay  behime, 
he  did,  en  take  keer  un  it." 

Here  Uncle  Remus  was  compelled  to  pause  and  laugh 
before  he  could  proceed  with  the  story. 


MR.  MAN  HAS  SOME  MEAT  127 

"  En  he  is  take  keer  un  it,  mon  —  dat  ne  is.  He  tuck'n 
git  'ini  a  rock,  en  w'iles  Mr.  Man  gwine  'long  bidout 
lookin'  back,  he  ondo  de  meat  en  tie  de  rock  ter  de  bam 
boo  line,  en  w'en  Brer  Fox  foller  on,  sho'  miff,  dar  lay 
de  meat.  Mr.  Man,  he  drug  de  rock,  he  did,  en  Brer 
Rabbit  he  keep  de  flies  off,  twel  atter  dey  gone  on  right 
smart  piece,  en  den  w'en  Mr.  Man  look  'roun',  whar  wuz 
ole  man  Rabbit  ? 

"Bless  yo'  soul,  Brer  Rabbit  done  gone  back  en  jine 
Brer  Fox,  en  he  wuz  des  in  time,  at  dat,  'kaze  little  mo'  en 
Brer  Fox  would  'a'  done  bin  outer  sight  en  yearin'.  En  so 
dat  de  way  Brer  Rabbit  git  Mr.  Man  meat." 

The  little  boy  reflected  a  little,  and  then  said: 

"  Uncle  Remus,  was  n't  that  stealing  ? " 

"Well,  I  tell  you  'bout  dat,  honey,"  responded  the  old 
man,  with  the  air  of  one  who  is  willing  to  compromise. 
"  In  dem  days  de  creeturs  bleedz  ter  look  out  fer  deyse'f, 
mo'  speshually  dem  w'at  aint  got  hawn  en  huff.  Brer  Rab 
bit  aint  got  no  hawn  en  huff,  en  he  bleedz  ter  be  he  own 
lawyer." 

Just  then  the  little  boy  heard  his  father's  buggy  rattling 
down  the  avenue,  and  he  ran  out  into  the  darkness  to  meet 
it.  After  he  was  gone,  Uncle  Remus  sat  a  long  time  rubbing 
his  hands  and  looking  serious.  Finally  he  leaned  back  in 
his  chair,  and  exclaimed : 

"  Dat  little  chap  gittin'  too  much  fer  ole  Remus  —  dal 
he  is!" 


128  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

XXIV 
HOW  BROTHER  RABBIT  GOT  THE  MEAT 

WHEN  the  little  boy  next  visited  Uncle  Remus  the  cabin 
was  dark  and  empty  and  the  door  shut.  The  old  man  was 
gone.  He  was  absent  for  several  nights,  but  at  last  one 
night  the  little  boy  saw  a  welcome  light  in  the  cabin,  and 
he  made  haste  to  pay  Uncle  Remus  a  visit.  He  was  full 
of  questions : 

"  Goodness,  Uncle  Remus !  Where  in  the  world  have  you 
been  ?  I  thought  you  were  gone  for  good.  Mamma  said 
she  reckoned  the  treatment  here  did  n't  suit  you,  and  you 
had  gone  off  to  get  some  of  your  town  friends  to  hire  you." 

"  Is  Miss  Sally  tell  you  dat,  honey  ?  Well,  ef  she  aint  de 
beatenes'  w'ite  'oman  dis  side  er  kingdom  come,  you  kin 
des  shoot  me.  Miss  Sally  tuck'n  writ  me  a  pass  wid  her 
own  ban's  fer  ter  go  see  some  er  my  kin  down  dar  in  de 
Ashbank  settlement.  Yo'  mammy  quare  'oman,  honey, 
sho'! 

"En  yit,  w'at  de  good  er  my  stayin'  yer?  T'er  night, 
I  aint  mo'n  git  good  en  started  'fo'  you  er  up  en  gone,  en 
I  aint  seed  ha'r  ner  hide  un  you  sence.  W'en  I  see  you 
do  dat,  I  'low  ter  myse'f  dat  hit 's  des  'bout  time  fer  ole 
man  Remus  fer  ter  pack  up  he  duds  en  go  hunt  comp'ny 
some'r's  else." 

"Wrell,  Uncle  Remus,"  exclaimed  the  little  boy,  in  a 
tone  of  expostulation,  "  did  n't  Brother  Fox  get  the  meat, 
and  was  n't  that  the  end  of  the  story  ? " 


HOW  BROTHER  RABBIT  GOT  THE  MEAT    129 

Uncle  Remus  started  to  laugh,  but  he  changed  his  mind 
so  suddenly  that  the  little  boy  was  convulsed.  The  old 
man  groaned  and  looked  at  the  rafters  with  a  curious  air 
of  disinterestedness.  After  a  while  he  went  on  with  great 
seriousness : 

"  I  dunner  w'at  kinder  idee  folks  got  'bout  Brer  Rabbit 
nohow,  dat  I  don't.  S'pozen  you  lays  de  plans  so  some 
yuther  chap  kin  git  a  big  hunk  er  goody,  is  you  gwine  ter 
set  off  some'r's  en  see  'im  make  way  wid  it  ? " 

"  What  kind  of  goody,  Uncle  Remus  ? " 

"Dish  yer  kinder  goody  w'at  town  folks  keeps.  Mint 
draps  and  reezins,  en  sweet  doin's  lak  Miss  Sally  keep  und' 
lock  en  key.  Well,  den,  if  you  gits  some  er  dat,  er  may  be 
some  yuther  kinder  goody,  w'ich  I  wish  't  wuz  yer  right 
dis  blessid  minnit,  is  you  gwine  ter  set  quile  up  in  dat 
cheer  en  let  n'er  chap  run  off  wid  it  ?  Dat  you  aint  — 
dat  you  aint ! " 

"  Oh,  I  know ! "  exclaimed  the  little  boy.  "  Brother  Rab 
bit  went  back  and  made  Brother  Fox  give  him  his  part  of 
the  meat." 

"Des  lak  I  tell  you,  honey;  dey  wa'n't  no  man  'mungs 
de  creeturs  w'at  kin  stan'  right  flat-footed  en  wuk  he  min* 
quick  lak  Brer  Rabbit.  He  tuck'n  tie  de  rock  on  de  string, 
stidder  de  meat,  en  he  pursue  long  atter  it,  he  did,  twel 
Mr.  Man  tu'n  a  ben'  in  de  road,  en  den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  des 
lit  out  fum  dar  —  terbuckity-buckity,  buck-buck-buckity  I 
en  't wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  tuck'n  kotch  up  wid  Brer  Fox. 
Dey  tuck  de  meat,  dey  did,  en  kyar'd  it  way  off  in  de 
woods,  en  laid  it  down  on  a  clean  place  on  de  groun'. 


130  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Dey  laid  it  down,  dey  did,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
drawing  his  chair  up  closer  to  the  little  boy,  "  en  den  Brer 
Fox  'low  dey  better  sample  it,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  'gree. 
Wid  dat,  Brer  Fox  he  tuck'n  gnyaw  off  a  hunk,  en  he 
shut  bofe  eyes,  he  did,  en  he  chaw  en  chaw,  en  tas'e  en 
tas'e,  en  chaw  en  tas'e.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  watch  'im,  but 
Brer  Fox,  he  keep  bofe  eyes  shot,  en  he  chaw  en  tas'e,  en 
tas'e  en  chaw." 

Uncle  Remus  not  only  furnished  a  pantomime  accom 
paniment  to  this  recital  by  shutting  his  eyes  and  pretend 
ing  to  taste,  but  he  lowered  his  voice  to  a  pitch  of  tragical 
significance  in  reporting  the  dialogue  that  ensued : 

"  Den  Brer  Fox  smack  he  mouf  en  look  at  de  meat  mo* 
closeter,  en  up'n  'low: 

"'Brer  Rabbit,  hit  9s  lam'  !' 

"'No,  Brer  Fox!  sho'ly  not  !' 

"'Brer  Rabbit,  hit  's  lam'  !' 

"'Brer  Fox,  tooby  sho'ly  not  !' 

"Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  gnyaw  off  a  hunk,  en  he 
shot  bofe  eyes,  en  chaw  en  tas'e,  en  tas'e  en  chaw.  Den  he 
smack  he  mouf,  en  up'n  'low : 

"'Brer  Fox,  hit  's  shote  /' 

"'Brer  Rabbit,  you  foolin'  me!' 

'"Brer  Fox,  I  vow  hit  's  shote  !' 

"  'Brer  Rabbit,  hit  des  can't  be  !' 

'"Brer  Fox,  hit  sho'ly  is  !' 

"  Dey  tas'e  en  dey  'spute,  en  dey  'spute  en  dey  tas'e.  At- 
ter  w'ile,  Brer  Rabbit  make  lak  he  want  some  water,  en 
he  rush  off  in  de  bushes,  en  d'reckly  yer  he  come  back 


HOW  BROTHER  RABBIT  GOT  THE  MEAT     131 

wipin'  he  inouf  en  cle'rin'  up  he  th'oat.    Den  Brer  Fox 
he  want  some  water  sho'  nuff : 

'  *  Brer  Rabbit,  whar  you  fin'  de  spring  ? ' 
'  'Cross  de  road,  en  down  de  hill  en  up  de  big  gully.' 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  lope  off,  he  did,  en  atter  he  gone  Brer 
Rabbit  totch  he  year  wid  he  behime  foot  lak  he  flippin' 
'im  good-bye.  Brer  Fox,  he  cross  de  road  en  rush  down 
de  hill,  he  did,  yit  he  aint  fin'  no  big  gully.  He  keep  on 
gwine  twel  he  fin'  de  big  gully,  yit  he  aint  fin'  no  spring. 

"•Wiles  all  dish  yer  gwine  on,  Brer  Rabbit  he  tuck'n 
grabble  a  hole  in  de  groun',hedid,  en  in  dat  hole  hehidde 
meat.  Atter  he  git  it  good  en  hid,  he  tuck'n  cut  'im  a  long 
keen  hick'ry,  en  atter  so  long  a  time,  w'en  he  year  Brer 
Fox  comin'  back,  he  got  in  &  clump  er  bushes,  en  tuck  dat 
hick'ry  en  let  in  on  a  saplin',  en  ev'y  time  he  hit  de  saplin', 
he  'ud  squall  out,  Brer  Rabbit  would,  des  lak  de  patter- 
rollers  had  'im: 

"  Pow,  pow  !  '  Oh,  pray,  Mr.  Man  ! '  •  —  Pow,  pow  ! 
' Oh,  pray,  Mr.  Man!'  —  Chippy-row,  pow  !  ' Oh,  Lordy, 
Mr.  Man  !  Brer  Fox  tuck  yo'  meat  !  '  -  Pow  !  '  Oh, 
pray,  Mr.  Man !  Brer  Fox  tuck  yo'  meat ! ' " 

Every  time  Uncle  Remus  said  "  Pow  !  "  he  struck  him 
self  in  the  palm  of  his  hand  with  a  shoe-sole  by  way  of 
illustration. 

"Co'se,"  he  went  on,  "w'en  Brer  Fox  year  dis  kinder 
doin's,  he  fotch  up,  he  did,  en  lissen,  en  ev'y  time  he  year 
de  hick'ry  come  down  pow  !  he  tuck'n  grin  en  'low  ter  his- 
se'f,  *  Ah-yi!  you  fool  me  'bout  de  water!  Ah-yi!  you  fool 
me  'bout  de  water!' 


132  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Alter  so  long  a  time,  de  racket  sorter  die  out,  en  seem 
lak  Mr.  Man  wuz  draggin'  Brer  Rabbit  off.  Dis  make 
Brer  Fox  feel  mighty  skittish.  Bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  come 
a-cally-hootin'  back  des  a-hollerin' : 

" '  Run,  Brer  Fox,  run !  Mr.  Man  say  he  gwine  to  kyar 
dat  meat  up  de  road  ter  whar  he  son  is,  en  den  he's 
a-comin'  back  atter  you.  Run,  Brer  Fox,  run!5 

"En  I  let  you  know,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  leaning  back 
and  laughing  to  see  the  little  boy  laugh,  "  I  let  you  know 
Brer  Fox  got  mighty  skace  in  dat  neighborhood ! " 


XXV 
AFRICAN  JACK 

USUALLY,  the  little  boy,  who  regarded  himself  as  Uncle 
Remus's  partner,  was  not  at  all  pleased  when  he  found  the 
old  man  entertaining,  in  his  simple  way,  any  of  his  colored 
friends;  but  he  was  secretly  delighted  when  he  called  one 
night  and  found  Daddy  Jack  sitting  by  Uncle  Remus's 
hearth.  Daddy  Jack  was  an  object  of  curiosity  to  older  peo 
ple  than  the  little  boy.  He  was  a  genuine  African,  and 
for  that  reason  he  was  known  as  African  Jack,  though  the 
child  had  been  taught  to  call  him  Daddy  Jack.  He  was 
brought  to  Georgia  in  a  slave-ship  when  he  was  about 
twenty  years  old,  and  remained  upon  one  of  the  sea- 
islands  for  several  years.  Finally,  he  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  family  of  which  Uncle  Remus's  little  partner  was  the 
youngest  representative,  and  became  the  trusted  foreman 


AFRICAN  JACK  133 

of  a  plantation,  in  the  southern  part  of  Georgia,  known  as 
the  Walthall  Place.  Once  every  year  he  ,tvas  in  the  habit 
of  visiting  the  Home  Place  in  Middle  C  eorgia,  and  it  was 
during  one  of  these  annual  visits  tha  the  little  boy  found 
him  in  Uncle  Remus 's  cabin. 

Daddy  Jack  appeared  to  be  qv  .ie  a  hundred  years  old, 
but  he  was  probably  not  more  t1  an  eighty.  He  was  a  little, 
dried-up  old  man,  whose  ^  weazened,  dwarfish  appear 
ance,  while  it  was  calculated  to  inspire  awe  in  the  minds 
of  the  superstitious,  was  not  vithout  its  pathetic  sugges 
tions.  The  child  had  been  told  that  the  old  African  was  a 
wizard,  a  conjurer,  and  a  snake-( -harmer ;  but  he  was  not 
afraid,  for,  in  any  event,  —  conjuration,  witchcraft,  or  what 
not, —  he  was  assured  of  the  protection  of  Uncle  Remus. 

As  the  little  boy  entered  the  cabin  Uncle  Remus  smiled 
and  nodded  pleasantly,  and  made  a  pJ  ice  for  him  on  a  little 
stool  upon  which  had  been  piled  the  Odds  and  ends  of  work. 
Daddy  Jack  paid  no  attention  to  the  cihild;  his  thoughts 
seemed  to  be  elsewhere. 

"  Go  en  shake  ban's,  honey,  en  tell  TDaddy  Jack  howdy. 
He  laks  good  chilluns."  Then  to  I>addy  Jack:  "Brer 
Jack,  dish  yer  de  chap  w'at  I  bin  telli;i'  you  'bout." 

The  little  boy  did  as  he  was  bid,  but  Daddy  Jack  grunted 
ungraciously  and  made  no  response  \Q  the  salutation.  He 
was  evidently  not  fond  of  children.  ]  ^ncle  Remus  glanced 
curiously  at  the  dwarfed  and  withered  figure,  and  spoke  a 
little  more  emphatically: 

"Brer  Jack,  ef  you  take  good  look  at  dis  chap,  I  lay 
you  '11  see  mo  'n  you  speck  ter  see.  You  '11  see  sump'n'  dat  '11 


134  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

make  you  grunv  wusser  dan  you  grunted  deze  many  long 
year.  Go  up  dar  honey,  whar  Daddy  Jack  kin  see  you." 

The  child  went  hyly  up  to  the  old  African  and  stood  at 
his  knee.  The  son  iws  and  perplexities  of  nearly  a  hun 
dred  years  lay  betwe  >n  them;  and  now,  as  always,  the 
baffled  eyes  of  age  gazeu  into  the  Sphinx-like  face  of  youth, 
as  if  by  this  means  to  unravel  the  mysteries  of  the  past  and 
solve  the  problems  of  the  fui  are. 

Daddy  Jack  took  the  plump,  rosy  hands  of  the  little 
boy  in  his  black,  withered  ones,  and  gazed  into  his  face  so 
long  and  steadily,  and  with  such  curious  earnestness,  that 
the  child  did  n't  know  whether  to  laugh  or  cry.  Presently 
the  old  African  flung  his,  hands  to  his  head,  and  rocked  his 
body  from  side  to  side.,  moaning  and  mumbling,  and  talk 
ing  to  himself,  while  t^he  tears  ran  down  his  face  like  rain. 

"Ole  Missy!  Ole  Missy!  'E  come  back!  I  bin  shum 
dey-dey,  I  bin  shuip  de  night !  I  bin  yeddy  'e  v'ice,  I  bin 
yeddy  de  sign ! "  i 

"Ah-yi!"  exclained  Uncle  Remus,  into  whose  arms 
the  little  boy  had  ffcd  ;  "  I  des  know'd  dat  'ud  fetch  'im. 
Hit 's  bin  manys  de  long  days  sence  Brer  Jack  seed  ole 
Miss,  yit  ef  he  aint  peed  'er  dat  whack,  den  I  aint  settin' 
yer." 

After  a  while  Dac^iy  Jack  ceased  his  rocking,  and  his 
moaning,  and  his  crying,  and  sat  gazing  wistfully  into  the 
fireplace.  Whatever  he  saw  there  fixed  his  attention,  for 
Uncle  Remus  spoke  to  him  several  times  without  receiv 
ing  a  response.  Presently,  however,  Daddy  Jack  exclaimed 
with  characteristic  but  laughable  irrelevance: 


AFRICAN  JACK  135 

"  1  no  lakky  dem  gal  wut  is  bin-a  stan'  pidjin-toe.  Wun 
'e  fetch  pail  er  water  on  'e  head,  water  churray,  churray. 
I  110  lakky  dem  gal  wut  tie  'e  wool  up  wit'  string;  mekky 
him  stan'  ugly  fer  true.  I  bin  ahx  da'  'Tildy  gal  fer  marry 
me,  un  'e  no  crack  'im  bre't'  fer  mek  answer  'cep'  'e  bre'k 
out  un  lahf  by  me  werry  face.  Da'  gal  do  holler  un  lahf  un 
stomp  'e  fut  dey-dey,  un  dun  I  shum  done  gone  pidjin- 
toe.  Oona  bin  know  da'  'Tildy  gal  ? " 

"  I  bin  a-knowin'  dat  gal,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  grimly 
regarding  the  old  African ;  "  I  bin  a-knowin'  dat  gal  now 
gwine  on  sence  she  'uz  knee-high  ter  one  er  deze  yer  pud 
dle-ducks;  en  I  bin  noticin'  lately  dat  she  mighty  likely 
nigger." 

"  Enty ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  enthusiastically,  "  I 
did  bin  mek  up  ter  da'  lilly  gal  troo  t'ick  un  t'in.  I  bin 
fetch  'im  one  fine  'possum,  un  mo'  ez  one,  two,  free  peck- 
a  taty,  un  bumbye  I  bin  fetch  'im  one  bag  pop-co'n.  Wun 
I  bin  do  dat,  I  is  fley  'roun'  da'  lilly  gal  so  long  tarn,  un  I 
yeddy  'im  talk  writ'  turrer  gal.  JE  do  say:  *  Daddy  Jack 
fine  ole  man  fer  true.'  Dun  I  is  bin  talk:  'Oona  no  call-a 
me  Daddy  Jack  wun  dem  preacher  man  come  fer  marry 
we.'  Dun  da'  lilly  gal  t'row  'e  head  back;  'e  squeal  lak 
filly  in  canebrake." 

The  little  boy  understood  this  rapidly-spoken  lingo  per 
fectly  well,  but  he  would  have  laughed  anyhow,  for  there 
was  more  than  a  suggestion  of  the  comic  in  the  shrewd 
seriousness  that  seemed  to  focus  itself  in  Daddy  Jack's 
pinched  and  wrinkled  face. 

"  She  tuck  de  truck  w'at  you  tuck'n  fotch  'er,"  said  Uncle 


136  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Remus,  with  the  air  of  one  carefully  and  deliberately  lay 
ing  the  basis  of  a  judicial  opinion,  "  en  den  w'en  you  sail 
in  en  talk  bizness,  den  she  up  en  gun  you  de  flat  un  'er 
foot  en  de  back  un  'er  han',  en  den,  atter  dat,  she  tuck'n 
laff  en  make  spote  un  you." 

"  Enty ! "  assented  Daddy  Jack,  admiringly. 

"  Well,  den,  Brer  Jack,  youer  mighty  ole,  en  yit  hit  seem 
lak  youer  mighty  young;  kaze  a  man  w'at  aint  got  no  mo* 
speunce  wid  wimmen  folks  dan  w'at  you  is  neenter  creep 
'roun'  yer  callin'  deyse'f  ole.  Dem  kinder  folks  aint  ole 
nuff,  let  'lone  bein'  too  ole.  W'en  de  gal  tuck'n  laff,  Brer 
Jack,  w'at  'uz  yo'  nex'  move  ?  "  demanded  Uncle  Remus, 
looking  down  upon  the  shrivelled  old  man  with  an  air  of 
superiority. 

Daddy  Jack  shut  his  shrewd  little  eyes  tightly  and  held 
them  so,  as  if  by  that  means  to  recall  all  the  details  of  the 
flirtation.  Then  he  said: 

"  Da'  lilly  gal  is  bin  tek  dem  t'ing.  'E  is  bin  say  '  T'anky, 
t'anky.'  Him  eaty  da'  'possum,  him  eaty  da'  pop-co'n, 
him  roas'n  da'  taty.  'E  do  say,  '  T'anky,  t'anky !  *  Wun 
I  talk  marry,  'e  is  bin  ris  'e  v'ice  un  squeal  lak  lilly  pig 
stuck  in  'e  t'roat.  'E  do  holler:  'Hi,  Daddy  Jack!  wut 
is  noung  gal  gwan  do  wit'  so  ole  man  lak  dis  ? '  Un  I  is 
bin  say:  *  Wut  noung  gal  gwan  do  wit'  ole  Chris'mus'  cep' 
'e  do  'joy  'ese'f  ?'  Un  da'  lil  gal  'e  do  lahff  un  flut  'ese'f 
way  fum  dey-dey." 

"  I  know'd  a  nigger  one  time,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  after 
pondering  a  moment,  "w'at  tuck  a  notion  dat  he  want 
a  bait  er  'simmons,  en  de  mo'  w'at  de  notion  tuck  'im  de 


AFRICAN  JACK  137 

mo'  w'at  he  want  urn,  en  bimeby,  hit  look  lak  he  des 
nat'ally  erbleedz  ter  have  um.  He  want  de  'simmons,  en 
dar  dey  is  in  de  tree.  He  mouf  water,  en  dar  hang  de  'sim 
mons.  Now,  den,  w'at  do  dat  nigger  do  ?  Wen  you  en 
me  en  dish  yer  chile  yer  wants  'simmons,  we  goes  out  en 
shakes  de  tree,  en  ef  deyer  good  en  ripe,  down  dey  comes, 
en  ef  deyer  good  en  green,  dar  dey  stays.  But  dish  yer 
yuther  nigger,  he  too  smart  fer  dat.  He  des  tuck'n  tuck 
he  stan'  und'  de  tree,  en  he  open  he  mouf,  he  did,  en  wait 
fer  de  'simmons  fer  ter  drap  in  dar.  Dey  aint  none  drap 
in  yit,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  gently  knocking  the  cold 
ashes  out  of  his  pipe;  "  en  w'at 's  mo',  dey  aint  none  gwine 
ter  drap  in  dar.  Dat  des  'zackly  de  way  wid  Brer  Jack 
yer,  'bout  marryin';  he  stan'  dar,  he  do,  en  he  hoi'  bofe 
han's  wide  open  en  he  'speck  de  gal  gwine  ter  drap  right 
spang  in  um.  Man  want  gal,  he  des  got  ter  grab  'er  — 
dat 's  w'at.  Dey  may  squall  en  dey  may  flutter,  but  flut- 
ter'n'  en  squallin'  aint  done  no  damage  yit  ez  I  knows  un, 
en  't  aint  gwine  ter.  Young  chaps  kin  make  great  'mira 
tion  'bout  gals,  but  w'en  dey  gits  ole  ez  I  is,  dey  ull  know 
dat  folks  is  folks,  en  w'en  it  come  ter  bein'  folks,  de  wim- 
men  ain  gut  none  de  'vantage  er  de  men.  Now  dat's  des 
de  plain  up  en  down  tale  I'm  a-tellin'  un  you." 

This  deliverance  from  so  respectable  an  authority  seemed 
to  please  Daddy  Jack  immensely.  He  rubbed  his  with 
ered  hands  together,  smacked  his  lips  and  chuckled.  After 
a  few  restless  movements  he  got  up  and  went  shuffling  to 
the  door,  his  quick,  short  steps  causing  Uncle  Remus  to 
remark : 


138  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  De  gal  w'at  git  ole  Brer  Jack  'ull  git  a  natchul  pacer, 
sho'.  He  move  mo'  one-sideder  dan  ole  Zip  Coon,  w'ich 
he  rack  up  de  branch  all  night  long  wid  he  noee  p'int  lak 
he  gwine  'cross." 

While  the  little  boy  was  endeavoring  to  get  Uncle  Re 
mus  to  explain  the  nature  of  Daddy  Jack's  grievances, 
muffled  laughter  was  heard  outside,  and  almost  immedi 
ately  'Tildy  rushed  in  the  door.  'Tildy  flung  herself  upon 
the  floor  and  rolled  and  laughed  until,  apparently,  she 
could  laugh  no  more.  Then  she  seemed  to  grow  severely 
angry.  She  arose  from  the  floor  and  flopped  herself 
down  in  a  chair,  and  glared  at  Uncle  Remus  with  in 
dignation  in  her  eyes.  As  soon  as  she  could  control  her 
inflamed  feelings,  she  cried: 

"W'at  is  I  done  ter  you,  Unk'  Remus  ?  'Fo'  de  Lord, 
ef  anybody  wuz  ter  come  en  tole  me  dat  you  gwine  ter 
put  de  Ole  Boy  in  dat  ole  Affikin  nigger  head,  I  would  n't 
er  b'leeved  um  —  dat  I  would  n't.  Unk'  Remus,  w'at  is  I 
done  ter  you  ? " 

Uncle  Remus  made  no  direct  response  ;  but  he  leaned 
over,  reached  out  his  hand,  and  picked  up  an  unfinished 
axe-helve  that  stood  in  the  corner.  Then  he  took  the  little 
boy  by  the  arm,  and  pushed  him  out  of  the  way,  saying 
in  his  gentlest  and  most  persuasive  tone : 

"  Stan'  sorter  'roun'  dar,  honey,  'kaze  w'en  de  splinters 
'gin  ter  fly,  I  want  you  ter  be  out'n  de  way.  Miss  Sally 
never  gimme  'er  fergivance  in  de  roun'  worl*  ef  you  'uz 
ter  git  hurted  on  account  er  de  frazzlin'  er  dish  yer  piece 
er  timber." 


AFRICAN  JACK  139 

Uncle  Remus's  movements  and  remarks  had  a  wonder 
ful  effect  on  'Tildy.  Her  anger  disappeared,  her  eyes  lost 
their  malignant  expression,  and  her  voice  fell  to  a  con 
versational  tone. 

"  Now,  Unk'  Remus,  you  ought  n't  ter  do  me  dat  a- way, 
'kaze  I  aint  done  nothin'  ter  you.  I  'uz  settin'  up  yon'  in 
Aunt  Tempy  house,  des  now,  runnin'.on  wid  Riah,  en 
yer  come  dat  ole  Affikin  Jack  en  say  you  say  he  kin  marry 
me  ef  he  ketch  me,  en  he  try  ter  put  he  arm  'roun'  me  en 
kiss  me." 

'Tildy  tossed  her  head  and  puckered  her  mouth  at  the 
bare  remembrance  of  it. 

"  Wat  wud  did  you  gin  Brer  Jack  ? "  inquired  Uncle 
Remus,  not  without  asperity. 

"  Wat  I  gwine  tell  him  ?  "  exclaimed  'Tildy  disdainfully. 
"  I  des  tuck'n  up  en  tole  'im  he  foolin'  wid  de  wrong 
nigger." 

'Tildy  would  have  continued  her  narration,  but  just  at 
that  moment  the  shuffling  of  feet  was  heard  outside,  and 
Daddy  Jack  came  in,  puffing  and  blowing  and  smiling. 
Evidently  he  had  been  hunting  for  'Tildy  in  every  house 
in  the  negro  quarter. 

"  Hi ! "  he  exclaimed,  "  HI  gal,  'e  bin  skeet  sem  lak  ma'sh 
hen.  'E  no  run  no  mo'." 

"  Pick  'er  up,  Brer  Jack,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus  ; 
"she's  yone." 

'Tildy  was  angry  as  well  as  frightened.  She  would  have 
fled,  but  Daddy  Jack  stood  near  the  door. 

"  Look  yer,  nigger  man ! "  she  exclaimed,  "  ef  you  come 


140  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

slobbun  'roun'  me,  I'll  take  one  er  deze  yer  dog-iiins  en 
brain  you  wid  it.  I  aint  gwine  ter  have  no  web-foot  nigger 
follerin'  atter  me.  Now  you  des  come !  —  I  aint  f eard  er 
yo'  cunjun.  Unk'  Remus,  ef  you  got  any  intruss  in  dat 
ole  Affikin  ape,  you  better  make  'im  lemme  'lone.  G'way 
f um  yer  now ! " 

All  this  time  Daddy  Jack  was  slowly  approaching 
'Tildy,  bowing  and  smiling,  and  looking  quite  dandified, 
as  Uncle  Remus  afterward  said.  Just  as  the  old  African 
was  about  to  lay  hands  upon  'Tildy,  she  made  a  rush  for 
the  door.  The  movement  was  so  unexpected  that  Daddy 
Jack  was  upset.  He  fell  upon  Uncle  Remus's  shoe-bench, 
and  then  rolled  off  on  the  floor,  where  he  lay  clutching 
at  the  air,  and  talking  so  rapidly  that  nobody  could  under 
stand  a  word  he  said.  Uncle  Remus  lifted  him  to  his  feet, 
with  much  dignity,  and  it  soon  became  apparent  that  he 
was  neither  hurt  nor  angry.  The  little  boy  laughed  im 
moderately,  and  he  was  still  laughing  when  'Tildy  put  her 
head  in  the  door  and  exclaimed : 

"  Unk'  Remus,  I  aint  kilt  dat  ole  nigger,  is  I  ?  'Kaze 
ef  I  got  ter  go  ter  de  gallus,  I  want  to  go  dar  fer  sump'n' 
n'er  bigger'n  dat." 

Uncle  Remus  disdained  to  make  any  reply,  but  Daddy 
Jack  chuckled  and  patted  himself  on  the  knee  as  he 
cried : 

"  Come  'long,  lilly  gal  !  come  'long  !  I  no  mad.  I  fall 
down  dey  fer  laff .  Come  'long,  lilly  gal,  come  'long." 

'Tildy  went  on  laughing  loudly  and  talking  to  herself. 
After  awhile  Uncle  Remus  said: 


WHY  THE  ALLIGATOR'S  BACK  IS  ROUGH    141 

"  Honey,  I  'speck  Miss  Sally  lookin'  und'  de  bed  en  axin? 
whar  you  is.  You  better  leak  out  fum  yer  now,  en  by  dis 
time  ter-morrer  night  I  '11  git  Brer  Jack  all  primed  up,  en 
he'll  whirl  in  en  tell  you  a  tale." 

Daddy  Jack  nodded  assent,  and  the  little  boy  ran  laugh 
ing  to  the  "big  house." 


XXVI 
WHY  THE  ALLIGATOR'S  BACK  IS  ROUGH 

THE  night  after  the  violent  flirtation  between  Daddy 
Jack  and  'Tildy,  the  latter  coaxed  and  bribed  the  little 
boy  to  wait  until  she  had  finished  her  work  about  the 
house.  After  she  had  set  things  to  rights  in  the  dining- 
room  and  elsewhere,  she  took  the  child  by  the  hand,  and 
together  they  went  to  Uncle  Remus's  cabin.  The  old  man 
was  making  a  door-mat  of  shucks  and  grass  and  white- 
oak  splits,  and  Daddy  Jack  was  dozing  in  the  corner. 

"W'at  I  tell  you,  Brer  Jack?"  said  Uncle  Remus,  as 
'Tildy  came  in.  "  Dat  gal  atter  you,  mon  !  " 

"Per  de  Lord  sake,  Unk'  Remus,  don't  start  dat  ole 
nigger.  I  done  promise  Miss  Sally  dat  I  won't  kill  Jim, 
en  I  like  ter  be  good  ez  my  word  ;  but  ef  he  come  foolin* 
longer  me  I'm  des  nat'ally  gwine  ter  onj'int  'im.  Now 
you  year  me  say  de  word." 

But  Daddy  Jack  made  no  demonstration.  He  sat  with 
his  eyes  closed,  and  paid  no  attention  to  'Tildy.  After 
awhile  the  little  boy  grew  restless,  and  presently  he  said: 


142  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Daddy  Jack,  you  know  you  promised  to  tell  me  a 
story  to-night." 

"He  wukkin'  wid  it  now,  honey,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
soothingly.  "Brer  Jack,"  he  continued,  "wa'n't  dey 
suinp'n'  n'er  'bout  ole  man  Yalligater  ? " 

"  Hi ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  arousing  himself,  "  'e 
'bout  B'er  'Gater  fer  true.  Oona  no  bin  see  da'  B'er 
'Gater?" 

The  child  had  seen  one,  but  it  was  such  a  very  little 
one  he  hardly  knew  whether  to  claim  an  acquaintance 
with  Daddy  Jack's  'Gater. 

"Dem  all  sem,"  continued  Daddy  Jack.  "Big  mout', 
pop-eye,  walk  on  'e  belly;  'e  is  bin  got  bump,  bump, 
bump  'pon  'e  bahk,  bump,  bump,  bump  'pon  'e  tail. 
'E  dife  'neat'  de  water,  'e  do  lif  'pon  de  Ian'. 

"  One  tarn  Dog  is  bin  run  B'er  Rabbit,  tel  'e  do  git  tire; 
da'  Dog  is  bin  run  'im  tel  him  ent  mos'  hab  no  bre't'  in  'e 
body;  'e  hide  'ese'f  by  de  crik  side.  'E  come  close  'pon 
B'er  'Gater,  en  B'er  'Gater,  'e  do  say: 

" '  Ki,  B'er  Rabbit !  wut  dis  is  mek  you  blow  so  ?  Wut 
mekky  you'  bre't'  come  so  ? ' 

"'Eh-eh!  B'er  'Gater,  I  hab  bin  come  'pon  trouble. 
Dog,  'e  do  run  un-a  run  me.' 

"'  Wey  you  no  fetch  'im  'long,  B'er  Rabbit  ?  I  is  bin  git 
fat  on  all  da'  trouble  lak  dem.  I  proud  fer  yeddy  Dog 
bark,  ef  'e  is  bin  fetch-a  me  trouble  lak  dem.' 

"'Wait,  B'er  'Gater!  Trouble  come  bisitin'  wey  you 
lif  ;  'e  mekky  you'  side  puff  ;  'e  mekky  you'  bre't'  come 
so.' 


WHY  THE  ALLIGATOR'S  BACK  IS  ROUGH    143 

"'Gater,  he  do  flup  'e  tail  un  'tretch  'ese'f,  un  lahff. 
'E  say: 

" '  I  lak  fer  see  dem  trouble.  Nuddin'  no  bodder  me.  I 
ketch-a  dem  swimp,  I  ketch-a  dem  crahb,  I  mekky  my 
bed  wey  de  sun  shiiin  hot,  un  I  do  'joy  mese'f.  I  proud 
fer  see  dem  trouble.' 

'  'E  come  'pon  you,  B'er  'Gater,  wun  you  bin  hab  you' 
eye  shed ;  'e  come  'pon  you  fum  de  turrer  side.  Ef  'e  no 
come  'pon  you  in  da'  crik,  dun  'e  come  'pon  you  in  da' 
broom-grass.' 

* '  Dun  I  shekky  urn  by  de  han',  B'er  Rabbit;  I  ahx  um 
howdy.' 

"Eh-eh,  B'er  'Gater!  you  bin-a  lahff  at  me  ;  you  no 
lahff  wuri  dem  trouble  come.  Dem  trouble  bin  ketch-a 
you  yit.'" 

Daddy  Jack  paused  to  wipe  his  face.  He  had  reported 
the  dialogue  between  Brother  Rabbit  and  Brother  Alli 
gator  with  considerable  animation,  and  had  illustrated  it 
as  he  went  along  with  many  curious  inflections  of  the  voice, 
and  many  queer  gestures  of  head  and  hands  impossible 
to  describe  here,  but  which  added  picturesqueness  to  the 
story.  After  awhile  he  went  on : 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  do  blow  un  'e  do  ketch  um  bre't'.  'E 
pit  one  year  wey  Dog  is  bin-a  bark;  'e  pit  one  eye  'pon  B'er 
'Gater.  'E  lissen,  'e  look  ;  'e  look,  'e  lissen.  'E  no  yeddy 
Dog,  un  'e  comforts  come  back.  Bumbye  B'er  'Gater,  'e 
come  drowsy  ;  'e  do  nod,  nod,  un  'e  head  sway  down,  tel 
ma'sh-grass  tickle  'e  nose,  un  'e  do  cough  sem  lak  'e  teer 
up  da'  crik  by  da'  root.  'E  no  lak  dis  place  fer  sleep  at,  un 


144          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

'e  is  crawl  troo  da'  ma'sh  'pon  dry  Ian' ;  'e  is  mek  fer  da' 
broom-grass  fiel'.  'E  mek  'e  bed  wid  'e  long  tail,  un  'e  is 
'tretch  'ese'f  out  at  'e  lenk.  'E  is  shed  'e  y-eye,  un  opun  'e 
mout',  un  tek  'e  nap. 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  do  hoi'  'e  y-eye  'pon  B'e'r  'Gater.  Him 
talk  no  wud  ;  him  wallup  'e  cud  ;  him  stan'  still.  B'er 
'Gater,  'e  do  tek  'e  nap;  B'er  Rabbit  'e  do  watch.  Bum- 
bye,  B'er  'Gater  bre't',  'e  do  come  loud  ;  'e  is  bin  sno' 
hard  !  'E  dream  lilly  dream;  'e  wuk  'e  fut  un  shek  'e  tail 
in  'e  dream.  B'er  Rabbit  wink  'e  y-eye,  un  'e  do  watch. 
B'er  'Gater,  he  do  leaf  'e  dream  bahine,  un  'e  sleep  soun'. 
B'er  Rabbit  watch  lil,  wait  lil.  Bumbye,  'e  do  go  wey 
fier  bu'n  in  da'  stump,  un  'e  is  fetch  some.  'E  say  '  Dis 
day  I  is  mek  you  know  dem  trouble ;  I  is  mek  you  know 
dem  well.'  'E  hop  'roun'  dey-dey,  un  'e  do  light  da' 
broom-grass;  'e  bu'n,  bu'n  —  bu'n,  bu'n;  'e  do  bu'n 
smaht. 

"B'er  'Gater,  'e  is  dream  some  mo'  lilly  dream.  'E  do 
wuk  'e  fut,  'e  do  shek  'e  tail.  Broom-grass  bu'n,  bu'n  ; 
B'er  'Gater  dream.  'E  dream  da'  sun  is  shiiin'  hot ;  'e  worn 
'e  back,  'e  worn  'e  belly  ;  'e  wuk  'e  fut,  'e  shek  'e  tail. 
Broom-grass  bu'n  high,  'e  bu'n  low;  'e  bu'n  smaht,  'e  bu'n 
hot.  Bumbye,  B'er  'Gater  is  wek  fum  'e  dream;  'e  smell-a 
da'  smoke,  'e  feel-a  da'  fier.  'E  run  dis  way,  'e  run  turrer 
way;  no  diffran'  wey  'e  is  run,  dey  da'  smoke,  dey  da'  fier. 
Bun,  bu'n,  bu'n  I  B'er  'Gater  lash  'e  tail,  un  grine  'e  toof. 
Bumbye,  'e  do  roll  un  holler: 

" '  Trouble,  trouble,  trouble  !  Trouble,  trouble  ! ' 

"  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is  stan'  pas'  da'  fier,  un  'e  do  say: 


WHY  THE  ALLIGATOR'S  BACK  IS  ROUGH    145 

"Ki!  B'er 'Gater!  Wey  you  fer  l'arn-a  dis  talk  'bout 
dem  trouble  ? ' 

"  B'er  'Gater,  'e  lash  'e  tail,  'e  fair  teer  da'  ye't,1  un  'e  do 
holler: 

"'Oh,  ma  Lord!   Trouble!    Trouble,  trouble,  trouble  /' 
' '  Shekky  um  by  de  han',  B'er  'Gater.  Ahx  um  howdy!' 
' '  Ow»  ma  Lord !    Trouble,  trouble,  trouble  ! ' 

"'Lahff  wit'  dem  trouble,  B'er  'Gater,  lahff  wit'  dem! 
Ahx  dem  is  dey  he'lt'  bin  well  !  You  bin-a  cry  fer  dey 
'quairitun',2  B'er  'Gater  ;  now  you  mus'  beer  wit'  dem 
trouble!' 

"  B'er  'Gater  come  so  mad,  'e  mek  dash  troo  da'  broom- 
grass;  'e  fair  teer  um  down.  'E  bin  scatter  da'  fier  wide 
'part,  un  'e  do  run  un  dife  in  da'  crik  fer  squinch  da'  fier 
'pon  'e  bahk.  'E  bahk  swivel,  'e  tail  swivel  wit'  da'  fier, 
uri  fum  dat  dey  is  bin  stan'  so.  Bump,  bump  'pon  'e  tail; 
bump,  bump  'pon  'e  bahk,  wey  da'  fier  bu'n." 

"Hit's  des  lak  Brer  Jack  tell  you,  honey,"  said  Uncle 
Remus,  as  Daddy  Jack  closed  his  eyes  and  relapsed  into 
silence.  "  I  done  seed  um  wid  my  own  eyes.  En  deyer 
mighty  kuse  creeturs,  mon.  Dey  back  is  all  ruffed  up  en 
dow^n  ter  dis  day  en  time,  en  mo'n  dat,  you  aint  gwineter 
ketch  Brer  Rabbit  rackin'  'roun'  whar  de  Yallergaters  is. 
En  de  Yallergaters  deyse'f,  w'en  dey  years  any  crackin'  en 
rattlin'  gwine  on  in  de  bushes,  dey  des  makes  a  break  fer 
de  creek  en  splunges  in." 

"Enty!"  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  with  momentary 
enthusiasm.  "'E  do  tu'n  go  da'  bahnk,  un  dife  'neat' 

1  Tear  the  earth.  2  Acquaintance. 


146  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

da*  crik.  'E  bin  so  worn  wit'  da'  fier,  'e  mek-  de  crik  go 
si-z-z-z ! " 

Here  Daddy  Jack  looked  around  and  smiled.  His 
glance  fell  on  'Tildy,  and  he  seemed  suddenly  to  remem 
ber  that  he  had  failed  to  be  as  polite  as  circumstances 
demanded. 

"Come-a  set  nex'  me,  lilly  gal.  I  gwan  tell  you  one 
tale." 

"  Come  'long,  Pinx,"  said  'Tildy,  tossing  her  head  dis 
dainfully,  and  taking  the  little  boy  by  the  hand.  "  Come 
'long,  Pinx  ;  we  better  be  gwine.  I  done  say  I  won't  kill 
dat  ole  nigger  man.  Yit  ef  he  start  atter  me  dis  blessid 
night,  I  lay  I  roust  de  whole  plantation.  Come  on,  honey; 
less  go." 

The  little  boy  was  not  anxious  to  go,  but  Uncle  Remus 
seconded  'Tildy's  suggestion. 

"  Better  let  dat  gal  mosey  'long,  honey,  'kaze  she  mout 
start  in  fer  ter  cut  up  some  'er  capers  in  yer,  en  I  hate 
mighty  bad  ter  bus'  up  dis  yer  axe-helve,  w'ich  I'm  in 
needs  un  it  eve'y  hour  er  de  day." 

Whereupon  the  two  old  negroes  were  left  sitting  by  the 
hearth. 

XXVII 
BROTHER  WOLF  SAYS  GRACE 

'TiLDY,  the  house-girl,  made  such  a  terrible  report  of  the 
carryings  on  of  Daddy  Jack  that  the  little  boy's  mother 
thought  it  prudent  not  to  allow  him  to  visit  Uncle  Remus 


BROTHER  WOLF  SAYS  GRACE  147 

so  often.  The  child  amused  himself  as  best  he  could  for 
several  nights,  but  his  playthings  and  picture-books  finally 
lost  their  interest.  He  cried  so  hard  to  be  allowed  to  go  to 
see  Uncle  Remus  that  his  mother  placed  him  under  the 
care  of  Aunt  Tempy,  —  a  woman  of  large  authority  on  the 
place,  and  who  stood  next  to  Uncle  Remus  in  the  confi 
dence  of  her  mistress.  Aunt  Tempy  was  a  fat,  middle-aged 
woman,  who  always  wore  a  head-handkerchief,  and  kept 
her  sleeves  rolled  up,  displaying  her  plump,  black  arms, 
winter  and  summer.  She  never  hesitated  to  exercise  her 
authority,  and  the  younger  negroes  on  the  place  regarded 
her  as  a  tyrant ;  but  in  spite  of  her  loud  voice  and  brusque 
manners  she  was  thoroughly  good-natured,  usually  good- 
humored,  and  always  trustworthy.  Aunt  Tempy  and 
Uncle  Remus  were  secretly  jealous  of  each  other,  but 
they  were  careful  never  to  come  in  conflict,  and,  to  all 
appearances,  the  most  cordial  relations  existed  between 
them. 

"Well  de  goodness  knows!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus, 
as  Aunt  Tempy  went  in  with  the  little  boy.  "How  you 
come  on,  Sis  Tempy  ?  De  rainy  season  aint  so  mighty  fur 
off  w'en  you  come  a-sojourneyin'  in  dis  house.  Ef  I'd 
a-know'd  you  'd  a-bin  a-comin'  I  'd  a-sorter  steered  'roun' 
en  bresh'd  de  cobwebs  out'n  de  cornders." 

"  Don't  min'  me,  Brer  Remus.  Luck  in  de  house  whar 
de  cobwebs  hangs  low.  I  'uz  des  a-passin'  —  a-passin' 
'long  —  en  Miss  Sally  ax  me  ef  I  kin  come  fur  ez  de  do' 
wid  dat  chile  dar,  but  bless  you,  't  aint  in  my  manners  ter 
tu'n  back  at  de  do'.  How  you  come  on,  Brer  Remus  ?" 


148  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Po'ly,  Sis  Tempy  ;  en  yit  I  aint  complainin'.  Pain 
yer,  en  a  ketch  yander,  wid  de  cramps  th'ow'd  in,  aint  no 
mo'  dan  ole  folks  kin  'speck.  How  you  is,  Sis  Tempy  ? " 

"I  thank  de  Lord  I'm  able  to  crawl,  Brer  Remus,  en 
dat's  'bout  all.  Ef  I  wa'n't  so  sot  in  my  ways,  deze  yer 
niggers  would  er  run  me  'stracted  d'reckly." 

Daddy  Jack  was  sitting  in  the  corner  laughing  and 
talking  to  himself,  and  the  little  boy  watched  him  not 
without  a  feeling  of  awe.  After  a  while  he  said : 

"Uncle  Remus,  won't  Daddy  Jack  tell  us  a  story  to 
night  ? " 

"Now,  den,  honey,"  responded  the  old  man,  "we  aint 
got  ter  push  Brer  Jack  too  closte;  we  ull  des  hatter  creep 
up  on  'im  en  ketch  'im  fer  er  tale  wence  he  in  de  humors. 
Sometime  hoss  pull,  sometime  he  aint  pull.  You  aint  bin 
down  yer  so  long,  hit  sorter  look  lak  it  my  tu'n;  'kaze  it 
done  come  'cross  my  'membunce  dat  dey  wuz  one  time 
w'en  Brer  Wolf  kotch  Brer  Rabbit,  w'ich  I  aint  never 
gun  it  out  ter  you  yit." 

"Brother  Wolf  caught  Brother  Rabbit,  Uncle  Remus  ?" 
exclaimed  the  little  boy,  incredulously. 

"Yasser!  dat's  de  up  en  down  un  it,  sho',"  responded 
the  old  man  with  emphasis,  "en  I  be  mighty  glad  ef  Sis 
Tempy  yer  will  'scuze  me  w'iles  I  runs  over  de  tale  'long 
wid  you." 

"  Bless  yo'  soul,  Brer  Remus,  don't  pay  no  'tention  ter 
me,"  said  Aunt  Tempy,  folding  her  fat  arms  upon  her 
ample  bosom,  and  assuming  an  attitude  of  rest  and  con 
tentment.  "I'm  bad  ez  de  chillun  'bout  dem  ole  tales, 


BROTHER  WOLF  SAYS  GRACE  149 

'kaze  I  kin  des  set  up  yer  un  lissen  at  um  de  whole  blessid 
night,  un  a  good  part  er  de  day.  Yass,  Lord ! " 

"Well,  den,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "we  ull  des  huddle  up 
yer  en  see  w'at  'come  er  Brer  Rabbit  w'en  ole  Brer  Wolf 
kotch  'im.  In  dem  days,"  he  continued,  looking  at  Daddy 
Jack  and  smiling  broadly,  "de  creeturs  wuz  constant 
gwine  a-courtin'.  Ef  'twa'n't  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals 
dey  wuz  flyin'  'roun',  hit  'uz  Miss  Motts.  Dey  wuz  con 
stant  a-courtin'.  En  'twa'n't  none  er  dish  yer  'Howdy- 
do-ma'm-I-'speck-I-better-be-gwine,'  n'er.  Hit  'uz  go  atter 
brekkus  en  stay  twel  atter  supper.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  got 
tuk  wid  a-likin'  fer  Miss  Motts,  en  soon  one  mawnin',  he 
tuck'n  slick  hisse'f  up,  he  did,  en  put  out  ter  call  on  'er. 
W'en  Brer  Rabbit  git  ter  whar  Miss  Motts  live,  she  done 
gone  off  some'rs. 

"  Some  folks  'ud  er  sot  down  en  wait  twel  Miss  Motts 
come  back,  en  den  ag'in  some  folks  'ud  er  tuck  der  foot  in 
der  han'  en  went  back  ;  but  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  aint  de 
man  fer  ter  be  outdone,  en  he  des  tuck'n  go  in  de  kitchen 
en  light  he  seegyar,  en  den  he  put  out  fer  ter  pay  a  call  on 
Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals. 

"WT'en  he  git  dar,  lo  en  beholes,  he  fine  Miss  Motts 
dar,  en  he  tipped  in,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  he  galanted 
'roun'  'mungs  um,  same  lak  one  er  dese  yer  town  chaps, 
w'at  you  see  come  out  ter  Harmony  Grove  meetin'-house. 
Dey  talk  en  dey  laff ;  dey  laff  en  dey  giggle.  Bimeby,  'long 
todes  night,  Brer  Rabbit  'low  he  better  be  gwine.  De 
wimmen  folks  dey  all  ax  'im  fer  ter  stay  twel  atter  supper, 
'kaze  he  sech  lively  comp'ny,  but  Brer  Rabbit  fear'd  some 


150  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

er  de  yuther  creeturs  be  hidin'  out  fer  'im;  so  he  tuck'n 
pay  his  'specks,  he  did,  en  start  fer  home. 

"  He  aint  git  fur  twel  he  come  up  wid  a  great  big  bas 
ket  settin'  down  by  de  side  er  de  big  road.  He  look  up 
de  road  ;  he  aint  see  nobody.  He  look  down  de  road  ; 
he  aint  see  nobody.  He  look  befo',  he  look  behime,  he 
look  all  'roun';  he  aint  see  nobody.  He  lissen,  en  lissen; 
he  aint  year  nothin'.  He  wait,  en  he  wait;  nobody  aint 
come. 

"  Den,  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  go  en  peep  in  de  basket,  en 
it  seem  lak  it  half  full  er  green  truck.  He  retch  he  han9 
in,  he  did,  en  git  some  en  put  it  in  he  rnouf.  Den  he  shet 
he  eye  en  do  lak  he  studyin'  'bout  sump'n'.  Atter  w'ile, 
he  'low  ter  hisse'f,  *  Hit  look  lak  sparrer-grass,  hit  feel  like 
sparrer-grass,  hit  tas'e  lak  sparrer-grass,  en  I  be  bless  ef 
't  aint  sparrer-grass.' 

"Wid  dat  Brer  Rabbit  jump  up,  he  did,  en  crack  he 
heel  tergedder,  en  he  fetch  one  leap  en  Ian'  in  de  basket, 
right  spang  in  'mungs  de  sparrer-grass.  Dar  whar  he  miss 
he  footin',"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  rubbing  his  beard 
meditatively,  "  'kaze  w'en  he  jump  in  'mungs  de  sparrer- 
grass,  right  den  en  dar  he  jump  in  'mungs  ole  Brer  Wolf, 
w'ich  he  wer'  quile  up  at  de  bottom." 

"Dar  now!"  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy,  enthusiastically. 
"  WT'at  I  tell  you  ?  W'at  make  him  pester  t'er  folks  doin's  ? 
I  boun'  Brer  Wolf  nail't  'im." 

"Time  Brer  Wolf  grab  'im,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
"  Brer  Rabbit  knowed  he  'uz  a  gone  case;  yit  he  sing  out, 
he  did: 


BROTHER  WOLF  SAYS  GRACE  151 

"'I  des  tryin'  ter  skeer  you,  Brer  Wolf;  I  des  tryin'  ter 
skeer  you.  I  know'd  you  'uz  in  dar,  Brer  Wolf.  I  know'd 
you  by  de  smell ! '  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  Ole  Brer  Wolf  grin,  he  did,  en  lick  he  chops,  en  up'n 
say: 

*  *  Mighty  glad  you  know'd  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  'kaze  I 
know'd  you  des  time  you  drapt  in  on  me.  I  tuck'n  tell 
Brer  Fox  yistiddy  dat  I  'uz  gwine  take  a  nap  'longside  er 
de  road,  en  I  boun'  you  'ud  come  'long  en  wake  me  up, 
en  sho'  nuff,  yer  you  come  en  yer  you  is,'  sez  Brer  Wolf, 
sezee." 

"  Oh-ho,  Mr.  Rabbit !  How  you  feel  now  ? "  exclaimed 
Aunt  Tempy,  her  sympathies  evidently  with  Brother  Wolf. 

"W'en  Brer  Rabbit  year  dis,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  pay<. 
ing  no  attention  to  the  interruption,  "  he  'gun  ter  git  mighty 
skeer'd,  en  he  whirl  in  en  beg  Brer  Wolf  fer  ter  please  tu'n 
'im  loose ;  but  dis  make  Brer  Wolf  grin  wusser,  en  he  toof 
look  so  long  en  shine  so  w'ite,  en  he  gum  look  so  red,  dat 
Brer  Rabbit  hush  up  en  stay  still.  He  so  skeer'd  dat  he 
bref  come  quick,  en  he  heart  go  lak  flutter-mill.  He  chune 
up  lak  he  gwine  cry: 

' '  WThar  you  gwine  kyar  me,  Brer  Wolf  ? ' 

"Down  by  de  branch,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

' '  W'at  you  gwine  down  dar  fer,  Brer  Wolf  ? ' 

"So  I  kin  git  some  water  ter  clean  you  wid  atter  I  done 
skunt  you,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

"'Please,  sir,  lemme  go,  Brer  Wolf.' 

"'You  talk  so  young  you  make  me  laff,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

" '  Dat  sparrer-grass  done  make  me  sick,  Brer  Wolf.' 


152          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

" '  You  ull  be  sicker' n  dat  'fo'  I  git  done  wid  you,  Brer 
Rabbit.' 

"  *  Whar  I  come  fum  nobody  dast  ter  eat  sick  folks,  Brer 
Wolf/ 

"  *  Whar  I  come  fum  dey  aint  dast  ter  eat  no  yuther  kin', 
Brer  Rabbit.' " 

"  Ole  Mr.  Rabbit  wuz  a-talkin',  mon,"  said  Aunt  Tempy, 
with  a  chuckle  that  caused  her  to  shake  like  a  piece  of 
jelly. 

"Dey  went  on  dis  a-way,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
"  plum  twel  dey  git  ter  de  branch.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  beg  en 
cry,  en  cry  en  beg,  en  Brer  Wolf,  he  'fuse  en  grin,  en  grin 
en  'fuse.  W'en  dey  come  ter  de  branch,  Brer  Wolf  lay  Brer 
Rabbit  down  on  de  groun'  en  hilt  'im  dar,  en  den  he  study 
how  he  gwine  make  way  wid  'im.  He  study  en  he  study,  en 
w'iles  he  studyin'  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  study  some  on  he 
own  hook. 

*Den  w'en  it  seem  lak  Brer  Wolf  done  fix  all  de 
'rangerments,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  lak  he  cryin'  wusser 
en  wusser;  he  des  fa'rly  blubber." 

Uncle  Remus  gave  a  ludicrous  imitation  of  Brother 
Rabbit's  wailings. 

'  *  Ber  —  ber  —  Brer  Wooly  —  ooly  —  oolf !  Is  you 
gwine  —  is  you  gwine  ter  sakerfice-t  me  right  now  —  ow 

—  ow?' 

" '  Dat  I  is,  Brer  Rabbit;  dat  I  is.' 

"'Well,  ef  I  blee-eedz  ter  be  kilt,  Brer  Wooly  —  ooly 

—  oolf,  I  wants  ter  be  kilt  right,  en  ef  I  blee-eedz  ter  be 
e't,  I  wants  ter  be  e't  ri  —  ight,  too,  now ! ' 


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BROTHER  WOLF  SAYS  GRACE  153 

" ' How  dat,  Brer  Rabbit?' 

" '  I  want  you  ter  show  yo'  p'liteness,  Brer  Wooly  —  ooly 
-oolf!' 

" '  How  I  gwine  do  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 

'  *  I  want  you  ter  say  grace,  Brer  Wolf,  en  say  it  quick, 
'kaze  I  gittin'  mighty  weak.' 

' '  How  I  gwine  say  grace,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 

" '  Fol'  yo'  ban's  und'  yo'  chin,  Brer  Wolf,  en  shet  yo' 
eyes,  en  say:  "  Bless  us  en  bine  us,  en  put  us  in  crack  whar 
de  Ole  Boy  can't  fine  us."  Say  it  quick,  Brer  Wolf,  'kaze  I 
failin'  mighty  fas'.' " 

"  Now  aint  dat  des  too  much ! "  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy, 
as  delighted  as  the  little  boy.  Uncle  Remus  laughed 
knowingly  and  went  on: 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  put  up  he  han's,  he  did,  en  shot  he  eyes, 
en  'low,  '  Bless  us  en  bine  us ; '  but  he  aint  git  no  furder, 
'kaze  des  time  he  take  up  he  han's,  Brer  Rabbit  fotch  a 
wiggle,  he  did,  en  lit  on  he  foots,  en  he  des  nat'ally  lef 
a  blue  streak  behime  'im." 

"  Ah-yi-ee ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  while  Aunt  Tempy 
allowed  her  arms  to  drop  helplessly  from  her  lap  as  she 
cried  "  Dar  now ! "  and  the  little  boy  clasped  his  hands  in 
an  ecstasy  of  admiration. 

"  Oh,  I  just  knew  Brother  Rabbit  would  get  away,"  the 
child  declared. 

"  Dat 's  right,  honey,"  said  Uncle  Remus.  "  You  put  yo' 
pennunce  in  Brer  Rabbit  en  yo'  won't  be  fur  out  er  de 
way." 

There  was  some  further  conversation  among  the  negroes, 


154  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

but  it  was  mostly  plantation  gossip.  When  Aunt  Tempy 
rose  to  go,  she  said  : 

"Goodness  knows,  Brer  Remus,  ef  dis  de  way  you  all 
runs  on,  I'm  gwine  ter  pester  you  some  mo'.  Hit  come 
'cross  me  like  ole  times,  dat  it  do." 

"Do  so,  Sis  Tempy,  do  so,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with 
dignified  hospitality.  "  You  allers  fine  a  place  at  my  h'a'th. 
Ole  times  is  about  all  we  got  lef ." 

"  Trufe,  too ! "  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy  ;  and  with  that 
she  took  the  child  by  the  hand  and  went  out  into  the 
darkness. 

XXVIII 
SPIRITS,  SEEN  AND  UNSEEN 

IT  was  not  many  nights  before  the  same  company  was 
gathered  in  Uncle  Remus's  cabin,  —  Daddy  Jack,  Aunt 
Tempy,  and  the  little  boy.  The  conversation  took  a  turn 
that  thrilled  the  child  with  mingled  fear  and  curiosity. 
Uncle  Remus  had  inquired  as  to  the  state  of  Aunt  Tempy's 
health,  when  the  latter  came  in,  and  her  response  was : 

"  I  feelin'  mighty  creepy,  Brer  Remus,  sho'.  Look  like  I 
bleedz  ter  hunt  comp'ny.  W'en  I  come  'long  down  I  felt 
dat  skittish  twel  ef  a  leaf  had  blow'd  'crost  de  paff,  I'd  'a' 
des  about  drapt  in  my  tracks." 

"  How  come  dat,  Sis  Tempy  ?  "   Uncle  Remus  inquired. 

"You  know  dat  little  gal  er  Riah's  ?  Well,  I  'uz  settin' 
up  dar  in  my  house  'w'ile  ergo,  w'en,  bless  gracious !  fus' 
news  I  know,  I  year  dat  chile  talkin'  in  the  yuther  room.  I 


SPIRITS,  SEEN  AND  UNSEEN  155 

'low  ter  myse'f,  she  aint  talkin'  ter  Riah,  'kaze  Riah  aint 
come  yit,  un  den  I  crope  up,  un  dar  wuz  de  chile  settin' 
right  flat  in  de  middle  er  de  flo',  laffin'  un  talkin'  un  makin' 
motions  like  she  see  somebody  in  de  cornder.  I  des  stood 
dar  un  watch  'er,  un  I  aint  a  livin'  human  ef  she  don't  do 
like  dey  'uz  somebody  er  n'er  in  dar  wid  'er.  She  ax  um  fer 
ter  stay  on  dey  own  side,  un  den,  w'en  it  seem  like  dey 
come  todes  'er,  den  she  say  she  gwine  git  a  switch  un  drive 
um  back.  Hit  make  me  feel  so  cole  un  kuse  dat  I  des  tuck'n 
come  'way  fum  dar,  un  ef  dey's  sump'n'  n'er  dar,  hit '11 
be  dem  un  Riah  fer't." 

"'E  do  talk  wid  ghos';  'e  is  bin  larf  wit'  harnt,"  ex 
claimed  Daddy  Jack. 

"I  'speck  dat's  'bout  de  upshot  un  it,"  said  Uncle 
Remus.  "  Dey  tells  me  dat  w'ence  you  year  chilluns 
talkin'  en  gwine  on  periently  wid  deyse'f,  der  er  bleedz 
ter  see  ha'nts." 

The  little  boy  moved  his  stool  closer  to  his  venerable 
partner.  Daddy  Jack  roused  himself. 

"  Oona  no  bin-a  see  dem  ghos'  ?  Oona  no  bin-a  see  dem 
harnt  ?  Hi!  I  is  bin-a  see  plenty  ghos';  I  no  'fraid  dem;  I 
is  bin-a  punch  dem  'way  wit'  me  cane.  I  is  bin-a  shoo  dem 
'pon  dey  own  sied  da'  road.  Dem  is  bin  walk  w'en  da' 
moon  stan'  low;  den  I  is  bin  shum.  Oona  no  walk  wit' 
me  dun.  'E  berry  bahd.  Oona  call,  dey  no  answer.  Wun 
dey  call,  hoi'  you'  mout'  shet.  'E  berry  bahd  fer  mek  an 
swer,  wTun  da'  harnt  holler.  Dem  call-a  you  'way  fum  dis 
Ian'.  I  yeddy  dem  call ;  I  shetty  me  y-eye,  I  shekkey  me 
head. 


156  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Wun  I  is  bin  noung  mahn,  me  der  go  fer  git  water,  un 
wun  I  der  dip  piggin  'neat'  da'  crik,  I  yeddy  v'ice  fer  call 
me  —  'Jahck!  O  Jahck  !'  I  stan',  I  lissen,  I  yeddy  de 
v'ice  —  'Jahck  I  Jahck  !  O  Jahck  /'  I  t'ink  'e  bin  Titty 
Ann ; l  I  ahx  um : 

" '  Wey  you  bin  call-a  me,  Titty  Ann  ? '  Titty  Ann  'tretch 
5e  y-eye  big : 

"'  I  no  bin-a  call.  Dead  ghos'  is  bin-a  call.  Dem  harnt 
do  call-a  you.' 

"Dun  I  rise  me  y-eye,  un  I  is  bin  shum  gwan  by  sun 
down  ;  'e  is  bin  gwan  bahckwud.  I  tell  Titty  Ann  fer  look 
at  we  nuncle,  gwan  bahckwud  by  sundown.  Titty  Ann  pit 
'e  two  han'  'pon  me  y-eyes,  un  'e  do  bline  me.  'E  say  I 
bin-a  see  one  dead  ghos'." 

"  What  then,  Daddy  Jack  ?  "  asked  the  little  boy,  as  the 
old  African  paused. 

"  Ki !  nuff  dun.  'Kaze  bumbye,  so  long  tarn,  folks  come 
fetch-a  we  nuncle  'tretch  out.  'E  is  bin-a  tek  wit'  da'  hecup ; 
'e  t'row 'e  head  dis  way;  'e  t'row  'e  head  dat  way."  Daddy 
Jack  comically  suited  the  action  to  the  word.  "  'E  is  bin 
tek-a  da'  hecup ;  da'  hecup  is  bin  tek  um  —  da'  cramp  is 
bin  fetch  um.  I  is  bin  see  mo'  dead  ghos',  but  me  no  spot 
um  lak  dis." 

"  I  boun'  you  is,"  said  Uncle  Remus.  "  Dey  tells  me, 
Brer  Jack,"  he  continued,  "dat  w'en  you  meets  up  wid 
one  er  deze  ha'nts,  ef  you'll  tak'n  tu'n  yo'  coat  wrong- 
sud-outerds,  dey  won't  use  no  time  in  makin'  der  dis 
appearance." 

1  Sissy  Ann. 


SPIRITS,  SEEN  AND  UNSEEN  157 

"  Hey ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  "  tu'n  coat  no  fer  skeer 
dead  ghos'.  'E  skeer  dem  Jack-me-Lantun.  One  tarn  I  is 
bin-a  mek  me  way  troo  t'ick  swamp.  I  do  come  hot,  I  do 
come  cole.  I  feel-a  me  bahck  quake;  me  bre't'  come  fans'. 
I  look;  me  ent  see  nuttin';  I  lissen;  me  ent  yeddy  nuttin'. 
I  look,  dey  de  Jack-me-Lantun  mekkin  'e  way  troo  de 
bush;  'e  comin'  stret  by  me.  'E  light  bin-a  flick-flicker; 
'e  git  close  un  close.  I  yent  kin  stan'  dis ;  one  foot  git  hefty, 
da'  heer  'pon  me  head  lif  up.  Da'  Jack-me-Lantun,  'e  git-a 
high,  'e  git-a  low,  'e  come  close.  Dun  I  t'ink  I  bin-a  yeddy 
ole  folks  talk  tun  you  coat-sleef  wun  da*  Jack  me-Lantun 
is  bin  run  you.  I  pull,  I  twis',  I  yerk  at  dem  jacket ;  'e 
yent  come.  'E  is  bin  grow  on  me  bahck.  Jack-me-Lantun 
fly  close.  I  say  me  pray  'pon  da'  jacket;  'e  is  bin-a  yerk 
loose;  da' sleef  'e  do  tu'n.  Jack-me-Lantun,  'e  see  dis,  'e 
lif  up,  'e  say  *  Phew  ! '  'E  done  gone !  Oona  no  walk  in  da' 
swamp  'cep'  you  is  keer  you'  coat  'cross  da'  arm.  Enty ! " 

"  Dat  w'at  make  me  say,"  remarked  Aunt  Tempy,  with 
a  little  shiver,  "  dat  'oman  like  me,  w'at  aint  w'ar  no  jacket, 
aint  got  no  business  traipsin'  un  trollopin'  'roun'  thoo  the 
woods  atter  dark." 

"  You  mout  tu'n  yo'  head-hankcher,  Sis  Tempy,"  said 
Uncle  Remus,  reassuringly,  "  en  ef  dat  aint  do  no  good  den 
you  kin  whirl  in  en  gin  um  leg-bail." 

"I  year  tell,"  continued  Aunt  Tempy,  vouchsafing  no 
reply  to  Uncle  Remus,  "  dat  dish  yer  Jacky-ma-Lantun  is 
a  sho'  nuff  sperit.  Sperits  aint  gwine  to  walk  unwalk  less'n 
dey  got  sump'n'  n'er  on  der  min',  un  I  year  tell  dat  dish 
yer  Jacky-ma-Lantun  is  'casioned  by  a  man  w'at  got  kilt. 


158  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Folks  kilt  'im  un  tuck  his  money,  un  now  his  ha'nt  done 
gone  un  got  a  light  fer  ter  hunt  up  whar  his  money  is. 
Mighty  kuse  ef  folks  kin  hone"  atter  money  w'en  dey  done 
gone.  I  dunner  w'at  he  wanter  be  ramblin'  'roun'  wid  a 
light  w'en  he  done  dead.  Ef  anybody  got  any  hard  feelin's 
'gin'  me,  I  want  um  ter  take  it  out  w'ile  deyer  in  de  flesh  ; 
w'en  dey  come  a-ha'ntin'  me,  den  I  'm  done  —  I  'm  des 
done." 

"  Are  witches  spirits  ?  "  the  little  boy  asked. 

The  inquiry  was  not  especially  directed  at  Daddy  Jack, 
but  Daddy  Jack  was  proud  of  his  reputation  as  a  witch, 
and  he  undertook  to  reply. 

"  None  't  all.  Witch,  'e  no  dead  ghos'  —  'e  life  folks, 
wey  you  shekky  han'  wit'.  Oona  witch  mebbe;  how  you 
is  kin  tell  ? " 

Here  Daddy  Jack  turned  his  sharp  little  eyes  upon  the 
child.  The  latter  moved  closer  to  Uncle  Remus,  and  said 
he  hoped  to  goodness  he  was  n't  a  witch. 

"  How  you  is  kin  tell  diff ran  'cep'  you  bin  fer  try  um  ? " 
continued  Daddy  Jack.  "  'E  good  t'ing  fer  be  witch ;  'e 
mek-a  dem  folks  fred.  'E  mek-a  dem  fred ;  'e  mek-a  dem 
hoi'  da'  bre't',  wuri  dey  is  bin-a  come  by  you'  place." 

"In  de  name  er  de  Lord,  Daddy  Jack,  how  kin  folks 
tell  wh'er  dey  er  witches  er  no  ?  "  asked  Aunt  Tempy. 

"  Oo !  'e  easy  nuff.  Wun  da'  moon  is  shiiin  low,  wet-a 
you'  han'  wit'  da'  pot-licker  grease ;  rub  noung  heifer  'pon 
'e  nose;  git  'pon  'e  bahck.  Mus'  hoi'  um  by  'e  year;  nans' 
go  gallop,  gallop  down  da'  lane,  tel  'e  do  come  'cross  one-a 
big  gully.  Mus'  holler, '  Double,  double,  double  up  I  double, 


SPIRITS,  SEEN  AND  UNSEEN  159 

double,  double  up  /'    Heifer  jump,  oona  witch;  heifer  no 
jump,  oona  no  witch." 

"  Did  you  ever  ride  a  heifer,  Daddy  Jack  ? "  asked  the 
little  boy. 

"Mo'  tarn  es  dem,"  replied  the  old  negro,  holding  up 
the  crooked  fingers  of  one  withered  hand. 

"  Did  —  did  she  jump  across  the  big  gully  ?  " 

The  child's  voice  had  dropped  to  an  awed  whisper,  and 
there  was  a  glint  of  malicious  mischief  in  Daddy  Jack's 
shrewd  eyes,  as  he  looked  up  at  Uncle  Remus.  He  got 
his  cue.  Uncle  Remus  groaned  heavily  and  shook  his 
head. 

"Hoo!"  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  "wun  I  is  bin-a  tell 
all,  dey  no  mo'  fer  tell.  Mus'  kip  some  fer  da'  Sunday. 
Lilly  b'y  no  f red  dem  witch;  'e  no  bodder  lilly  b'y.  Witch, 
'e  no  rassel  wit'  'e  ebry-day  'quaintan';  'e  do  go  pars  'e 
own  place." 

It  was  certainly  reassuring  for  the  child  to  be  told  that 
witches  did  n't  trouble  little  boys,  and  that  they  committed 
their  depredations  outside  of  their  own  neighborhood. 

"  I  is  bin-a  yeddy  dem  talk  'bout  ole  witch.  'E  do  leaf  'e 
skin  wey  'e  is  sta't  fum.  Man  bin-a  come  pars  by;  'e  is 
fine  dem  skin.  'E  say: 

"  Ki!    'E  one  green  skin;   I  fix  fer  dry  urn.' 

"  Man  hang  um  by  da'  fier.  Skin,  'e  do  swink,  'e  do 
swivel.  Bumbye  'e  do  smell-a  bahd;  man,  'e  hoi'  'e  nose. 
'E  do  wait.  Skin  swink,  skin  stink,  skin  swivel.  'E  do  git 
so  bahd,  man  pitch  um  in  da'  ya'd.  'E  wait;  'e  is  wait, 
'e  is  lissen.  Bumbye,  'e  yeddy  da'  witch  come.  Witch, 


160  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

'e  do  sharp'  'e  claw  on-a  da'  fence;  'e  is  snap  'e  jaw  — 
flick  !  flick  !  flick  !  'E  come-a  hunt  fer  him  skin.  'E 
fine  un.  'E  trey  um  on  dis  way;  'e  no  fit.  'E  trey  urn  on 
dat  way;  'e  no  fit.  'E  trey  um  on  turrer  way;  'e  no  fit. 
'E  pit  um  'pon  'e  head;  skin  'e  no  fit.  'E  pit  um  'pon  'e 
foot;  skin  'e  no  fit.  'E  cuss,  'e  sweer;  skin  'e  no  fit.  'E 
cut  'e  caper;  skin  'e  no  fit.  Bumbye  'e  holler: 

*  'Tiss-a  me,  Skin !  wey  you  no  know  me  ?   Skin,  'tiss-a 
me !  wey  you  no  know  me  ? ' 

"Skin,  'e  no  talk  nuttin'  'tall.  Witch  'e  do  jump,  'e 
do  holler;  a  mek  no  diffran.  Skin  'e  talk  nuttin'  'tall. 
Man,  'e  tekky  to'ch,  'e  look  in  ya'd.  'E  see  big  blahck 
Woolf  lay  by  da'  skin.  'E  toof  show;  'e  y-eye  shiiin. 
Man  drife  um  'way;  'e  is  come  bahck.  Man  bu'n  da' 
skin;  'e  is  bin-a  come  bahck  no  mo'." 

The  little  boy  asked  no  more  questions.  He  sat  silent 
while  the  others  talked,  and  then  went  to  the  door  and 
looked  out.  It  was  very  dark,  and  he  returned  to  his 
stool  with  a  troubled  countenance. 

"Des  wait  a  little  minnit,  honey,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
dropping  his  hand  caressingly  on  the  child's  shoulder. 
"  I  bleedz  ter  go  up  dar  ter  de  big  house  fer  ter  see  Mars 
John,  en  I'll  take  you  'long  fer  comp'ny." 

And  so,  after  a  while,  the  old  man  and  the  little  boy 
went  hand  in  hand  up  the  path. 


A  GHOST  STORY  161 

XXIX 
A  GHOST  STORY 

THE  next  time  the  little  boy  visited  Uncle  Remus  he  per 
suaded  'Tildy  to  go  with  him.  Daddy  Jack  was  in  his 
usual  place,  dozing  and  talking  to  himself,  while  Uncle 
Remus  oiled  the  carriage-harness.  After  a  while  Aunt 
Tempy  came  in. 

The  conversation  turned  on  Daddy  Jack's  story  about 
"haunts"  and  spirits.  Finally  'Tildy  said: 

"  Wen  it  come  ter  tales  'bout  ha'nts,"  said  she,  "  I  year 
tell  er  one  dat  '11  des  nat'ally  make  de  kinks  on  yo'  head 
onquile  deyse'f." 

"  Wat  tale  dat,  chile  ?  "    asked  Aunt  Tempy. 

"Unk'  Remus,  mus'  I  tell  it?" 

"  Let  'er  come,"  said  Uncle  Remus. 

"Well,  den,"  said  'Tildy,  rolling  her  eyes  back  and 
displaying  her  white  teeth,  "one  time  dey  wuz  a  'Oman 
en  a  Man.  Seem  like  dey  live  close  ter  one  er  n'er,  en  de 
Man  he  sot  his  eyes  on  de  'Oman,  en  de  'Oman,  she  des 
went  'long  en  'ten'  ter  her  bizness.  Man,  he  keep  his  eyes 
sot  on  'er.  Bimeby,  de  'Oman,  she  'ten'  ter  her  bizness  so 
much  tel  she  tuck'n  tuck  sick  en  die.  Man,  he  up'n  tell 
de  folks  she  dead,  en  de  folks  dey  come  en  fix  'er.  Dey 
lay  'er  out,  en  dey  light  some  candles,  en  dey  sot  up  wid 
'er,  des  like  folks  does  now ;  en  dey  put  two  great  big  roun' 
shiny  silver  dollars  on  'er  eyes  fer  ter  hoi'  'er  eyeleds 
down." 


162  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

In  describing  the  silver  dollars  'Tildy  joined  the  ends 
of  her  thumbs  and  fore-fingers  together,  and  made  a  fig 
ure  as  large  as  a  saucer. 

"Dey  wuz  lots  bigger  dan  dollars  is  deze  days,"  she 
continued,  "en  dey  look  mighty  purty.  Seem  like  dey 
wuz  all  de  money  de  'Oman  got,  en  de  folks  dey  put  um 
on  'er  eyeleds  fer  to  hoi'  um  down.  Den  w'en  de  folks  do 
dat  dey  call  up  de  Man  en  tak'n  tell  'im  dat  he  mus'  dig 
a  grave  en  bury  de  'Oman,  en  den  dey  all  went  off  'bout 
der  bizness. 

"Well,  den,  de  Man,  he  tuck'n  dig  de  grave  en  make 
ready  fer  ter  bury  de  'Oman.  He  look  at  dat  money  on 
'er  eyeleds,  en  it  shine  mighty  purty.  Den  he  tuck  it  off 
en  feel  it.  Hit  feel  mighty  good,  but  des  'bout  dat  time  de 
Man  look  at  de  'Oman,  en  he  see  'er  eyeleds  open.  Look 
like  she  lookin'  at  'im,  en  he  take'n  put  de  money  whar 
he  git  it  fum. 

"  Well,  den,  de  Man,  he  take'n  git  a  waggin  en  haul  de 
'Oman  out  ter  de  buryin'-groun' ,  en  w'en  he  git  dar  he  fix 
ever'thing,  en  den  he  grab  de  money  en  kivver  up  de  grave 
right  quick.  Den  he  go  home,  en  put  de  money  in  a  tin 
box  en  rattle  it  'roun'.  Hit  rattle  loud  en  hit  rattle  nice, 
but  de  Man,  he  aint  feel  so  good.  Seem  like  he  know  de 
'Oman  eyeled  stretch  wide  open  lookin'  fer  'im.  Yit  he 
rattle  de  money  'roun',  en  hit  rattle  loud  en  hit  rattle  nice. 

"  Well,  den,  de  Man,  he  take'n  put  de  tin  box  w'at  de 
money  in  on  de  mantel-shel-uf .  De  day  go  by,  en  de  night 
come,  en  w'en  night  come  de  win'  'gun  ter  rise  up  en  blow. 
Hit  rise  high,  hit  blow  strong.  Hit  blow  on  top  er  de  house, 


A  GHOST  STORY  163 

hit  blow  und'  de  house,  hit  blow  'roun'  de  house.  Man, 
he  feel  quare.  He  set  by  de  fier  en  lissen.  Win'  say  '  Buzz- 
zoo-o-o-o-o  ! '  Man  lissen.  Win'  holler  en  cry.  Hit  blow 
top  er  de  house,  hit  blow  und'  de  house,  hit  blow  'roun' 
de  house,  hit  blow  in  de  house.  Man  git  closte  up  in  de 
chimbly-jam.  Win'  fin'  de  cracks  en  blow  in  um.  '  Bizzy, 
bizzy,  buzz-zoo-o-o-o-o  ! ' 

"Well,  den,  Man,  he  lissen,  lissen,  but  bimeby  he  git 
tired  er  dis,  en  he  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  gwine  ter  bed.  He 
tuck'n  fling  a  fresh  light'd  knot  in  de  fier,  en  den  he  jump 
in  de  bed,  en  quile  hisse'f  up  en  put  his  head  und'  de  kivver. 
Win'  hunt  fer  de  cracks  —  bizzy-buzz,  bizzy-buzz,  buzz- 
zoo-o-o-o-o-o  I  Man  keep  his  head  und'  de  kivver.  Light'd 
knot  flar'  up  en  flicker.  Man  aint  dast  ter  move.  Win' 
blow  en  w'issel  PJiew-fee-e-e-e  !  Light'd  knot  flicker  en 
flar'.  Man,  he  keep  his  head  kivvud. 

"  Well,  den,  Man  lay  dar,  en  git  skeer'der  en  skeer'der. 
He  aint  dast  ter  wink  his  eye  skacely,  en  seem  like  he  gwine 
ter  have  swamp  agur.  Wiles  he  layin'  dar  shakin',  en  de 
win'  a-blowin',  en  de  fier  flickin',  he  year  some  yuther 
kind  er  fuss.  Hit  mighty  kuse  kind  er  fuss.  Clinkity  9 
clinkalinkle  !  Man  'low : 

" '  Hey !   who  stealin'  my  money  ? ' 

"Yit  he  keep  his  head  kivvud  w'iles  he  lay  en  lissen. 
He  year  de  win'  blow,  en  den  he  year  dat  yuther  kinder 
fuss  —  Clinkity,  clink,  clinkity,  clinkalinkle  !  Well,  den, 
he  fling  off  de  kivver  en  sot  right  up  in  de  bed.  He  look, 
he  aint  see  nothin'.  De  fier  flicker  en  flar'  en  de  win'  blow. 
Man  go  en  put  chain  en  bar  'cross  de  do' .  Den  he  go  back 


164  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

to  bed,  en  he  aint  mo'n  totch  his  head  on  de  piller  tel  he 
year  de  yuther  fuss  —  clink,  clink,  dinkity,  dinkalinkle  I 
Man  rise  up,  he  aint  see  nothin'  'tall.  Mighty  quare ! 

"  Des  'bout  time  he  gwine  ter  lay  down  'g'in,  yer  come 
de  fuss  —  dinkity,  dinkalinkle.  Hit  soun'  like  it  on  de 
mantel-shel-uf;  let  'lone  dat,  hit  soun'  like  it  in  de  tin 
box  on  de  mantel-shel-uf;  let  'lone  dat,  hit  soun'  like  it 
de  money  in  de  tin  box  on  de  mantel-shel-uf.  Man  say: 
" '  Hey !  rat  done  got  in  box ! ' 

"Man  look;  no  rat  dar.  He  shet  up  de  box,  en  set  it 
down  on  de  shel-uf.  Time  he  do  dat  yer  come  de  fuss  — 
dinkity,  dinkity,  dinkalinkle  !  Man  open  de  box  en  look 
at  de  money.  Dem  two  silver  dollars  layin'  in  dar  des 
like  he  put  um.  Wiles  de  man  dun  dis,  look  like  he  kin 
year  sump'n'  say  'way  off  yander: 

*  *  Whar  my  money  ?    Oh,  gim  me  my  money  I ' 
"  Man,  he  sot  de  box  back  on  de  shel-uf,  en  time  he  put 
it  down  he  year  de  money  rattle  —  dinkity,  dinkalinkle, 
clink  I  —  en  den  fum  'way  off  yander  sump'n'  say : 
'  *  Oh,  gim  me  my  money  !   I  want  my  money  I ' 
"  Well,  den,  de  Man  git  skeer'd  sho'  nuff,  en  he  got  er 
flat-iiin  en  put  on  de  tin  box,  en  den  he  tuck'n  pile  all  de 
cheers  'gin'  de  do',  en  run  en  jump  in  de  bed.  He  des  know 
dey's  a  booger  comin'.    Time  he  git  in  bed  en  kivver  his 
head,  de  money  rattle  louder,  en  sump'n'  cry  'way  off 
yander : 

'* '  /  want  my  money  !  Oh,  gim  me  my  money  ! ' 
"Man,  he  shake  en  he  shiver;   money,  hit  clink  en  rat 
tle;  booger,  hit  holler  en  cry.  Booger  come  closter,  money 


A  GHOST  STORY  165 

clink  louder.  Man  shake  wusser  en  wusser.  Money  say : 
'  Clinkity,  clinkalinkle  ! '  Booger  cry,  *  Oh,  gim  me  my 
money  ! '  Man  holler,  '  O  Lordy,  Lordy  I ' 

"  Well,  den,  hit  keep  on  dis  a-way,  tel  dreckly  Man  year 
de  do'  open.  He  peep  fum  und'  de  kivver,  en  in  walk  de 
'Oman  w'at  he  done  bury  in  de  buryin'-groun'.  Man 
shiver  en  shiver,  win'  blow  en  blow,  money  rattle  en  rat 
tle,  'Oman  cry  en  cry.  *  Buzz-zoo-o-o-o-o  ! '  sez  de  win* ; 
*  Clinkalink  ! '  sez  de  box ;  *  Oh,  gim  me  my  money  I '  sez 
de  'Oman;  SO  Lordy!'  sez  de  Man.  'Oman  year  de 
money,  but  look  like  she  aint  kin  see,  en  she  grope  'roun', 
en  grope  'roun',  en  grope  'roun'  wid  'er  han'  h'ist  in  de 
a'r  des  dis  away." 

Here  'Tildy  stood  up,  pushed  her  chair  back  with  her 
foot,  raised  her  arms  over  her  head,  and  leaned  forward 
in  the  direction  of  Daddy  Jack. 

"Win'  blow,  fier  flicker,  money  rattle,  Man  shake  en 
shiver,  'Oman  grope  'roun'  en  say,  '  Gim  me  my  money  / 
Oh,  who  got  my  money  ? ' ' 

'Tildy  advanced  a  few  steps. 

"Money  look  like  it  gwine  ter  t'ar  de  tin  box  all  ter 
flinders.  'Oman  grope  en  cry,  grope  en  cry,  tel  bimeby 
she  jump  on  de  man  en  holler: 

'  *  You  got  my  money  ! ' ' 

As  she  reached  this  climax,  'Tildy  sprang  at  Daddy 
Jack  and  seized  him,  and  for  a  few  moments  there  was 
considerable  confusion  in  the  corner.  The  little  boy  was 
frightened,  but  the  collapsed  appearance  of  Daddy  Jack 
convulsed  him  with  laughter.  The  old  African  was  very 


166  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

angry.  His  little  eyes  glistened  with  momentary  malice, 
and  he  shook  his  cane  threateningly  at  'Tildy.  The  latter 
coolly  adjusted  her  ear-rings,  as  she  exclaimed: 

"Dar,  now!  I  know'd  I'd  git  even  wid  de  ole  vilyun. 
Come  a-callin'  me  pidj in-toed ! " 

"Better  keep  yo'  eye  on  'im,  chile,"  said  Aunt  Tempy. 
"He  'witch  you,  sho'." 

*  'Witch  who  ?  Ef  he  come  witchin'  'roun'  rne,  I  lay  I 
break  his  back.  I  tell  you  dat  right  pine-blank." 


XXX 

BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT 

THE  little  boy  was  very  glad,  one  night  shortly  after  he 
had  heard  about  Daddy  Jack's  ghosts  and  witches  and 
'Tildy's  "ha'nts,"  to  find  Uncle  Remus  alone  in  his  cabin. 
The  child  liked  to  have  his  venerable  partner  all  to  him 
self.  Uncle  Remus  was  engaged  in  hunting  for  tobacco 
crumbs  with  which  to  fill  his  pipe,  and  in  turning  his 
pockets  a  rabbit  foot  dropped  upon  the  hearth. 

"Grab  it,  honey!"  he  exclaimed.  "Snatch  it  up  off'n 
de  h'a'th.  In  de  name  er  goodness,  don't  let  it  git  in  de 
embers  ;  'kaze  ef  dat  ar  rabbit  foot  git  singe,  I  'm  a  goner, 


It  was  the  hind  foot  of  a  rabbit,  and  a  very  large  one 
at  that,  and  the  little  boy  examined  it  curiously.  He  was 
in  thorough  sympathy  with  all  the  superstitions  of  the 
negroes,  and  to  him  the  rabbit  foot  appeared  to  be  an 


BRO.   RABBIT  AND  HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT     167 

uncanny  affair.  He  placed  it  carefully  on  Uncle  Remus's 
knee,  and  after  the  pipe  had  been  filled,  he  asked: 
"  What  do  you  carry  that  for,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 
"Well,  honey,"  responded  the  old  man,  grimly,  "ef 
you  want  me  ter  make  shorts  out'n  a  mighty  long  tale,  dat 
rabbit  foot  is  fer  ter  keep  off  boogers.  W'en  I  hatter 
run  er'n's  fer  myse'f  all  times  er  night,  en  take  nigh  cuts 
thoo  de  woods,  en  'cross  by  de  buryin'-groun',  hits  mon- 
st'us  handy  fer  ter  have  dat  ar  rabbit  foot.  Keep  yo' 
head  studdy,  now;  mine  yo'  eye;  I  aint  sayin'  deyer  any 
boogers  anywhars.  Brer  Jack  kin  say  w'at  he  mineter;  I 
aint  sayin'  nothin'.  But  yit,  ef  dey  wuz  any,  en  dey  come 
slinkin'  atter  me,  I  let  you  know  dey'd  fine  out  terreckly 
dat  de  ole  nigger  heel'd  wid  rabbit  foot.  I  'ud  hoi'  it  up  des 
dis  a-way,  en  I  boun'  you  I  'd  shoo  um  off  'n  de  face  er  de 
yeth.  En  I  tell  you  w'at,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  seeing 
that  the  little  boy  was  somewhat  troubled,  "  w'en  it  come 
to  dat  pass  dat  you  gotter  be  dodgin'  'roun'  in  de  dark, 
ef  you'll  des  holler  fer  me,  I'll  loan  you  dish  yer  rabbit 
foot,  en  you'll  be  des  ez  safe  ez  you  is  w'en  Miss  Sally 
stannin'  by  yo'  bed  wid  a  lit  can'le  in  'er  han'. 

''Strip  er  red  flannil  tied  'roun'  yo'  arm '11  keep  off  de 
rheumatis  ;  stuinp-water_Jll_Jcyo^spepsy ;  some  good  fer 
one  'zeeze,  en  some  good  fer  n'er,  but  de  p'ints  is  dat 
dish  yer  rabbit  foot  '11  gin  you  good  luck.  De  man  w'at 
tote  it  mighty  ap'  fer  ter  come  out  right  een'  up  w'en  dey 's 
any  racket  gwine  on  in  de  neighborhoods,  let  'er  be  whar 
she  will  en  w'en  she  may;  mo'  espeshually  ef  de  man  w'at 

1  Disease. 


168  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

got  it  know  'zactly  w'at  he  got  ter  do.  W'ite  folks  may 
laugh,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "but  w'en  rabbit  run 
'cross  de  big  road  front  er  me,  w'at  does  I  do  ?  Does  I 
shoo  at  um  ?  Does  I  make  fer  ter  kill  um  ?  Dat  I  don't  — 
dat  I  don't !  I  des  squots  right  down  in  de  middle  er  de 
road,  en  I  makes  a  cross-mark  in  de  san'  des  dis  way,  en 
den  I  spits  in  it." ' 

Uncle  Remus  made  a  practical  illustration  by  drawing  a 
cross-mark  in  the  ashes  on  the  hearth. 

"Well,  but,  Uncle  Remus,  what  good  does  all  this  do  ?" 
the  little  boy  asked. 

"Lots  er  good,  honey;  bless  yo'  soul,  lots  er  good. 
W'en  rabbit  crosses  yo'  luck,  w'at  you  gwine  do,  less'n 
you  sets  down  en  crosses  it  out,  right  den  en  dar  ?  I  year 
talk  er  folks  shootin'  rabbit  in  de  big  road,  yit  I  notices 
dat  dem  w'at  does  de  shootin'  aint  come  ter  no  good  een' 
—  dat  w'at  I  notices." 

"Uncle  Remus,"  the  little  boy  asked,  after  a  while, 
"how  did  people  happen  to  find  out  about  the  rabbit's 
foot?" 

"Oh,  you  let  folks  'lone  fer  dat,  honey!  You  des  let 
um  'lone.  W'at  de  wimmen  aint  up'n  tell  bidout  anybody 
axin'  un  um,  folks  mighty  ap'  fer  ter  fine  out  fer  deyse'f. 
De  wimmen,  dey  does  de  talkin'  en  de  flyin',  en  de  mens, 
dey  does  de  walkin'  en  de  pryin',  en  betwixt  en  betweenst 

1  If,  as  some  ethnologists  claim,  the  animal  myths  are  relics  of  zob'theism, 
there  can  scarcely  be  a  doubt  that  the  practice  here  described  by  Uncle 
Remus  is  the  survival  of  some  sort  of  obeisance  or  genuflexion  by  which 
the  negroes  recognized  the  presence  of  the  Rabbit,  the  great  central  figure 
and  wonder-worker  of  African  mythology. 


BRO.   RABBIT  AND  HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT    169 

um,  dey  aint  much  dat  don't  come  out.  Ef  it  don't  come 
out  one  day  it  do  de  nex',  en  so  she  goes  —  Ant'ny  over, 
Ant'ny  under  —  up  one  row  en  down  de  udder,  en  clean 
acrosst  de  bolly-patch ! " 

It  may  be  that  the  child  did  n't  understand  all  this,  but 
he  had  no  doubt  of  its  wisdom,  and  so  he  waited  patiently 
for  developments. 

"Dey's  a  tale  'bout  de  rabbit  foot,"  continued  Uncle 
Remus,  "  but  yo'  eye  look  watery,  like  ole  man  Nod  'bout 
ter  slip  up  behime  you;  en  let  'lone  dat,  I  'speck  Miss 
Sally  clock  clickin'  fer  you  right  now." 

"  Oh,  no,  it  is  n't,  Uncle  Remus,"  said  the  child,  laugh 
ing.  "Mamma  said  she'd  make  'Tildy  call  me." 

"Dar,  now!"  exclaimed  the  old  man,  indignantly, 
"  'Tildy  dis  en  'Tildy  dat.  I  dunner  w'at  yo'  mammy 
dreamin'  'bout  fer  ter  let  dat  nigger  gal  be  a-holl'in'  en 
a-bawlin'  atter  you  all  'roun'  dish  yer  plan'ation.  She  de 
mos'  uppity  nigger  on  de  hill,  en  de  fus'  news  you  know 
dey  ull  all  hatter  make  der  bows  en  call  'er  Mistiss.  Ef  ole 
Miss  wuz  'live,  dey  would  n't  be  no  sech  gwines  on  'roun' 
yer.  But  nummine. 1  You  des  let  'er  come  a-cuttin'  up 
front  er  my  do',  en  I  lay  you  '11  year  squallin'.  Now,  den," 
continued  the  old  man,  settling  himself  back  in  his  chair, 
"  wharbouts  wuz  I  ? " 

"  You  said  there  was  a  tale  about  the  rabbit  foot,"  the 
little  boy  replied. 

"  So  dey  is,  honey!  so  dey  is!"  Uncle  Remus  exclaimed, 
"  but  she  got  so  many  crooks  en  tu'ns  in  'er  dat  I  dunner 

1  Never  mind. 


170  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

but  w'at  I  aint  done  gone  en  fergotted  some  un  um  off  n 
my  min';  'kaze  ole  folks  lak  me  knows  lots  mo'  dari  w'at 
dey  kin  'member. 

"  In  de  days  w'ence  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  sorter  keepin'  de 
neighborhoods  stirred  up,  de  yuther  creeturs  wuz  studyin' 
en  studyin'  de  whole  blessid  time  Jiow  dey  gwine  ter  nab 
'im.  Dey  aint  had  no  holiday  yit,  'kaze  w'en  de  holiday 
come,  dey  'd  go  ter  wuk,  dey  would,  en  juggle  wid  one  er 
n'er  fer  ter  see  how  dey  gwine  ter  ketch  up  wid  Brer 
Rabbit.  Bimeby,  w'en  all  der  plans,  en  der  traps,  en  der 
jugglements  aint  do  no  good,  dey  all  'gree,  dey  did,  dat 
Brer  Rabbit  got  some  cunjerment  w'at  he  trick  um  wid. 
Brer  B'ar,  he  up'n  'low,  he  did,  dat  he  boun'  Brer  Rabbit 
is  a  nat'al  bawn  witch;  Brer  Wolf  say,  sezee,  dat  he  'speck 
Brer  Rabbit  des  in  cahoots  wid  a  witch  ;  en  Brer  Fox, 
he  vow  dat  Brer  Rabbit  got  mo'  luck  dan  smartness.  Den 
Jedge  B'ar,  he  drap  he  head  one  side,  he  did,  en  he  ax 
how  come  Brer  Rabbit  got  all  de  luck  on  he  own  side. 
De  mo'  dey  ax,  de  mo'  dey  git  pestered,  en  de  mo'  dey  git 
pestered,  de  wuss  dey  worry.  Day  in  en  day  out  dey  wuk  wid 
dis  puzzlement ;  let  'lone  dat,  dey  sot  up  nights ;  en  bimeby 
dey  'gree  'mungs  deyse'f  dat  dey  better  make  up  wid  Brer 
Rabbit,  en  see  ef  dey  can't  fine  out  how  come  he  so  lucky. 

"Wiles  all  dis  gwine  on,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  a-gal- 
lopin'  'roun'  fum  Funtown  ter  Frolicville,  a-kickin'  up  de 
devilment  en  terrifyin'  de  neighborhoods.  Hit  keep  on 
dis  a-way,  twel  one  time,  endurin'  de  odd-come-shorts,1 

1  Sometime,  any  time,  no  time.  Thus:  "  Run  fetch  me  de  ax,  en  I  '11 
wait  on  you  one  er  deze  odd-come-shorts." 


BRO.  RABBIT  AND  HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT    171 

ole  Jedge  B'ar  sont  wud  dat  one  er  his  chilluns  done  bin 
tooken  wid  a  sickness,  en  he  ax  won't  ole  Miss  Rabbit 
drap  'roim'  en  set  up  wid  'im.  Ole  Miss  Rabbit,  she  say, 
co'se  she  go,  en  atter  she  fill  'er  satchy  full  er  yerbs  en 
truck,  off  she  put. 

"I  done  fergit,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  scratching  his  head 
gravely,  "w'ich  one  er  dem  chilluns  wuz  ailin'.  Hit  mout 
er  bin  Kubs,  en  hit  mout  er  bin  Klibs;  but  no  marter  fer 
dat.  Wen  ole  Miss  Rabbit  git  dar,  ole  Miss  B'ar  wuz 
a-settin'  up  in  de  chimbly-cornder  des  a-dosin'  en  a-nussin' 
de  young  un;  en  all  de  wimmin  er  de  neighborhoods  wuz 
dar,  a-whispun  en  a-talkin',  des  fer  all  de  worl'  lak  wimmin 
does  deze  days.  It  'uz: 

"'Come  right  in,  Sis  Rabbit!  I  mighty  proud  to  see 
you.  I  mighty  glad  you  fotch  yo'  knittin',  'kaze  I'm  pow'- 
ful  po'  comp'ny  w'en  my  chillun  sick.  Des  fling  yo'  bon 
net  on  de  bed  dar.  I  'm  dat  flustrated  twel  I  dunner  w'ich 
een's  up,  skacely.  Sis  Wolf,  ban'  Sis  Rabbit  dat  rockin'- 
cheer  dar,  'kaze  't  aint  no  one  step  fum  her  house  ter  mine/ 

"  Dat  de  way  ole  Miss  B'ar  run  on,"  continued  Uncle 
Remus,  "  en  dey  set  dar  en  dey  chatter  en  dey  clatter. 
Ole  Brer  Wolf,  he  'uz  settin'  out  on  de  back  peazzer 
smokin'  en  noddin'.  He  'ud  take  en  draw  a  long  whiff, 
he  would,  en  den  he  'ud  drap  off  ter  noddin'  en  let  de 
smoke  oozle  out  thoo  he  nose.  Bimeby  ole  Sis  Rabbit 
drap  'er  knittin'  in  'er  lap,  en  sing  out,  sez  she: 

"Law,  Sis  B'ar!  I  smells  'barker  smoke,'  sez  she. 

"  Ole  Sis  B'ar,  she  jolt  up  de  sick  baby,  en  swap  it  fum 
one  knee  ter  de  yuther,  en  'low: 


172  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'My  ole  man  bin  smokin'  'roun'  yer  de  whole  blessid 
day,  but  soon'z  dish  yer  chile  tuck  sick,  I  des  tuck'n  tole 
'im,  sez  I,  fer  ter  take  hisse'f  off  in  de  woods  whar  he 
b'long  at,  sez  I.  Yessum!  I  did  dat!  I  pities  any  'oman 
w'at  'er  ole  man  is  fer'verlastin'  stuck  'roun5  de  house  w'en 
dey  's  any  sickness  gwine  on,'  sez  she. 

"  Ole  Brer  Wolf  sot  out  dar  on  de  back  peazzer,  en  he 
shot  one  eye,  he  did,  en  open  um  'g'in,  en  let  de  smoke 
oozle  out'n  he  nose.  Sis  B'ar,  she  jolt  de  sick  baby  en 
swap  it  fum  one  knee  ter  de  yuther.  Dey  sot  dar  en  talk 
twel  bimeby  der  confab  sorter  slack  up.  Fus'  news  dey 
know  Sis  Rabbit  drap  'er  knittin'  en  fling  up  'er  han's  en 
squall  out: 

"'De  gracious  en  de  goodness!  Ef  I  aint  done  come 
traipsin'  off  en  lef  my  ole  man  money-pus,  en  he  got 
sump'n'  in  dar  w'at  he  won't  take  a  purty  fer,  needer! 
I'm  dat  fergitful,'  sez  she,  'twel  hit  keep  me  mizerbul 
mighty  nigh  de  whole  time,'  sez  she. 

"Brer  Wolf,  he  lif  up  he  year  en  open  he  eye,  en  let 
de  smoke  oozle  out'n  he  nose.  Sis  B'ar,  she  jolt  de  sick 
baby  wuss  en  wuss,  en  bimeby,  she  up'n  say,  sez  she : 

' '  I  mighty  glad  't  aint  me,  dat  I  is,'  sez  she, '  bekaze  ef 
I  wuz  ter  lef  my  ole  man  money-pus  layin'  'roun'  dat 
a-way,  he  'd  des  nat'ally  rip  up  de  planks  in  de  flo',  en 
t'ar  all  de  bark  off'n  de  trees,'  sez  she. 

"  Ole  Miss  Rabbit,  she  sot  dar,  she  did,  en  she  rock  en 
study,  en  study  en  rock,  en  she  dunner  w'at  ter  do.  Ole 
Sis  B'ar,  she  jolt  en  jolt  de  baby.  Ole  Brer  Wolf,  he  let 
de  'barker  smoke  oozle  thoo  he  nose,  he  did,  en  den  he 


BRO.  RABBIT  AND  HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT     173 

open  bofe  eyes  en  lay  he  pipe  down.  Wid  dat,  he  crope 
down  de  back  steps  en  lit  out  fer  Brer  Rabbit  house.  Brer 
Wolf  got  gait  same  lak  race-hoss,  en  it  aint  take  'im  long 
fer  ter  git  whar  he  gwine.  Wen  he  git  ter  Brer  Rabbit 
house,  he  pull  de  latch-string  en  open  de  do',  en  w'en  he 
do  dis,  one  er  de  little  Rabs  wake  up,  en  he  holler  out: 

' '  Dat  you,  mammy  ? ' 

"  Den  Brer  Wolf  wish  he  kin  sing  '  Bye-O-Baby,'  but 
'f o'  he  kin  make  answer,  de  little  Rab  holler  out  'g'in : 

" '  Dat  you,  mammy  ? ' 

"Ole  Brer  Wolf  know  he  got  ter  do  sump'n',  so  he 
tuck'n  w'isper,  he  did: 

"'Sh-sh-sh!  Go  ter  sleep,  honey.  De  boogers'll  git 
you!'  en  wid  dat  de  little  Rab  'gun  ter  whimple,  en  he 
whimple  hisse'f  off  ter  sleep. 

"  Den  w'en  it  seem  lak  de  little  Rabs,  w'ich  dey  wuz 
mighty  nigh  forty-eleven  un  um,  is  all  gone  ter  sleep,  Brer 
Wolf  he  crope  'roun',  he  did,  en  feel  on  de  mantel-shelf, 
en  feel,  en  feel,  twel  he  come  ter  ole  Brer  Rabbit  money- 
pus.  Ef  he  want  so  light  wid  he  han',"  Uncle  Remus  went 
on,  glancing  quizzically  at  the  child,  "he'd  a  knock  off 
de  pollygollic  vial  w'at  ole  Miss  Rabbit  put  up  dar.  But 
nummine!  Brer  Wolf,  he  feel,  en  feel,  twel  he  come  ter 
de  money-pus,  en  he  grab  dat,  he  did,  en  he  des  flew'd 
away  fum  dar. 

"WT'en  he  git  out  er  sight  en  year'n',  Brer  WTolf  look  at 
de  money-pus,  en  see  w'at  in  it.  Hit  'uz  one  er  deze  yer 
kinder  money-pus  wid  tossle  on  de  een'  en  shiny  rings  in 
de  middle.  Brer  Wolf  look  in  dar  fer  ter  see  w'at  he  kin 


174  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

see.  In  one  een'  dey  wuz  a  piece  er  calamus-root  en  some 
collard-seeds,  en  in  de  t'er  een'  dey  wuz  a  great  big  rabbit 
foot.  Dis  make  Brer  Wolf  feel  mighty  good,  en  he  gallop 
off  home  wid  de  shorance *  un  a  man  w'at  done  foun'  a 
gol'  mine." 

Here  Uncle  Remus  paused  and  betrayed  a  disposition  to 
drop  off  to  sleep.  The  little  boy,  however,  touched  him 
upon  the  knee,  and  asked  him  what  Brother  Rabbit  did 
when  he  found  his  foot  was  gone.  Uncle  Remus  laughed 
and  rubbed  his  eyes. 

"  Hit 's  mighty  kuse  'bout  Brer  Rabbit,  honey.  He  aint 
miss  dat  money-pus  fer  mighty  long  time,  yit  w'en  he  do 
miss  it,  he  miss  it  mighty  bad.  He  miss  it  so  bad  dat  he 
git  right-down  sick,  'kaze  he  know  he  bleedz  ter  fine  dat  ar 
foot  let  go  w'at  may,  let  come  w'at  will.  He  study  en  he 
study,  yit  't  aint  do  no  good,  en  he  go  all  'roun'  'lowin'  ter 
hisse'f: 

"  *  I  know  whar  I  put  dat  foot,  yit  I  dunner  whar  I  lef '  um  ; 
I  know  whar  I  put  dat  foot,  yit  I  dunner  whar  I  lef  um.' 

"He  mope  en  he  mope  'roun'.  Look  lak  Brer  Wolf 
got  fall  de  luck  en  Brer  Rabbit  aint  got  none.  Brer  W^olf 
git  fat,  Brer  Rabbit  git  lean;  Brer  Wolf  run  fas',  Brer 
Rabbit  lope  heavy  lak  ole  Sis  Cow ;  Brer  Wolf  feel  funny, 
Brer  Rabbit  feel  po'ly.  Hit  keep  on  dis  a-way,  twel 
bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  know  sump'n'  n'er  bleedz  ter  be 
done.  Las'  he  make  up  he  min'  fer  ter  take  a  journey, 
en  he  fix  up  he  tricks,  he  do,  en  he  go  en  see  ole  Aunt 
Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money." 

1  Assurance. 


BRO.  RABBIT  AND  HIS  FAMOUS  FOOT     175 

"And  who  was  old  Aunt  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money, 
Uncle  Remus  ? "  the  little  boy  inquired. 

"  Ah-yi ! "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  in  a  tone  of  triumph, 
"  I  know'd  w'en  I  fotch  dat  ole  creetur  name  up,  dey  wa'n't 
gwine  ter  be  no  noddin'  'roun'  dish  yer  h'a'th.  In  dem 
days,"  he  continued,  "  dey  wuz  a  Witch-Rabbit,  en  dat  wuz 
her  entitlements  —  ole  Aunt  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money. 
She  live  way  off  in  a  deep,  dark  swamp,  en  ef  you  go  dar 
you  hatter  ride  some,  slide  some;  jump  some,  hump  some; 
hop  some,  flop  some;  walk  some,  balk  some;  creep  some, 
sleep  some;  fly  some,  cry  some;  f oiler  some,  holler  some; 
wade  some,  spade  some;  en  ef  you  aint  monst'us  keerful 
you  aint  git  dar  den.  Yit  Brer  Rabbit  he  git  dar  atter  so 
long  a  time,  en  he  mighty  nigh  wo'  out. 

"  He  sot  down,  he  did,  fer  ter  res'  hisse'f,  en  bimeby  he 
see  black  smoke  comin'  outer  de  hole  in  de  groun'  whar  de 
ole  Witch-Rabbit  stay.  Smoke  git  blacker  en  blacker, 
en  atter  w'ile  Brer  Rabbit  know  de  time  done  come  fer 
'im  ter  open  up  en  tell  w'at  he  want." 

As  Uncle  Remus  interpreted  the  dialogue,  Brother  Rab 
bit  spoke  in  a  shrill,  frightened  tone,  while  the  voice  of  the 
Rabbit-Witch  was  hoarse  and  oracular: 

"'Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money,  I  needs  yo'  he'p.' 

"'Son  Riley  Rabbit,  why  so?  Son  Riley  Rabbit,  why 
so?' 

'  *  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money,  I  los'  de  foot  you  gim 
me.' 

"'O  Riley  Rabbit,  why  so?     Son  Riley  Rabbit,  why 


176  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

' '  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money,  my  luck  done  gone.  I 
put  dat  foot  down  'pon  de  groun'.  I  lef  um  dar  I  know 
not  whar.' 

"'De  Wolf  done  tuck  en  stole  yo'  luck,  Son  Riley  Rab 
bit,  Riley.  Go  fine  de  track,  go  git  hit  back,  Son  Riley 
Rabbit,  Riley.' 

"  Wid  dat,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "  ole  Aunt  Mammy- 
Bammy  Big-Money  sucked  all  de  black  smoke  back  in  de 
hole  in  de  groun',  and  Brer  Rabbit  des  put  out  fer  home. 
W'en  he  git  dar,  w'at  do  he  do  ?  Do  he  go  off  in  a  cornder 
by  hisse'f,  en  wipe  he  weepin'  eye  ?  Dat  he  don't  —  dat 
he  don't.  He  des  tuck'n  wait  he  chance.  He  wait  en  he 
wait;  he  wait  all  day,  he  wait  all  night;  he  wait  mighty 
nigh  a  mont'.  He  hang  'roun'  Brer  Wolf  house;  he  watch 
en  he  wait. 

"Bimeby,  one  day,  Brer  Rabbit  git  de  news  dat  Brer 
Wolf  des  come  back  fum  a  big  frolic.  Brer  Rabbit  know 
he  time  comin',  en  he  keep  bofe  eye  open  en  bofe  years 
h'ist  up.  Nex'  mawnin'  atter  Brer  Wolf  git  back  fum  de 
big  frolic,  Brer  Rabbit  see  'im  come  outer  de  house  en  go 
down  de  spring  atter  bucket  water.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  slip 
up,  he  did,  en  he  look  in.  Ole  Miss  Wolf,  she  'uz  sailin' 
'roun'  fryin'  meat  en  gittin'  brekkus,  en  dar  hangin'  'cross 
er  cheer  wuz  Brer  Wolf  wes'cut  where  he  keep  he  money- 
pus.  Brer  Rabbit  rush  up  ter  do'  en  pant  lak  he  mighty 
nigh  fag  out.  He  rush  up,  he  did,  en  he  sing  out: 

" '  Mawnin',  Sis  Wolf,  niawnin' !  Brer  Wolf  sont  me  atter 
de  shavin'-brush,  w'ich  he  keep  it  in  dat  ar  money-pus 
w'at  I  loant  'im.' 


"IN  SOME  LADY'S  GARDEN"  177 

"  Sis  Wolf,  she  fling  up  'er  ban's  en  let  um  drap,  en  she 
laugh  en  say,  sez  she: 

" '  I  'clar'  ter  gracious,  Brer  Rabbit !  You  gimme  sech 
a  tu'n,  dat  I  aint  got  room  ter, be  perlite  skacely.' 

"But  mos'  'fo'  she  git  de  wuds  out'n  'er  mouf,  Brer 
Rabbit  done  grab  de  money-pus  en  gone ! " 

"  Which  way  did  he  go,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  the  little  boy 
asked,  after  a  while. 

"Well,  I  tell  you  dis,"  Uncle  Remus  responded  em 
phatically,  "Brer  Rabbit  road  aint  lay  by  de  spring;  I 
boun'  you  dat!" 

Presently  'Tildy  put  her  head  in  the  door  to  say  that  it 
was  bedtime,  and  shortly  afterward  the  child  was  dream 
ing  that  Daddy  Jack  was  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money  in 
disguise. 

XXXI 
"IN  SOME  LADY'S  GARDEN" 

WHEN  the  little  boy  next  visited  Uncle  Remus  the  old 
man  was  engaged  in  the  somewhat  tedious  operation  of 
making  shoe-pegs.  Daddy  Jack  was  assorting  a  bundle 
of  sassafras  roots,  and  Aunt  Tempy  was  transforming  a 
meal-sack  into  shirts  for  some  of  the  little  negroes,  —  a 
piece  of  economy  of  her  own  devising.  Uncle  Remus 
pretended  not  to  see  the  child. 

"Hit's  des  lak  I  tell  you  all,"  he  remarked,  as  if  renew 
ing  a  conversation ;  "  I  monst'us  glad  dey  aint  no  bad 
chilluns  on  dis  place  fer  ter  be  wadin'  in  de  spring-branch, 


178  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

en  flingin*  mud  on  de  yuther  little  chilluns,  w'ich  de 
goodness  knows  dey  er  nasty  nuff  bidout  dat.  I  monst'us 
glad  dey  aint  none  er  dat  kinder  young  uns  'roun'  yer  — 
I  is  dat." 

"Now,  Uncle  Remus,"  exclaimed  the  little  boy,  in  an 
injured  tone,  "somebody's  been  telling  you  something 
on  me." 

The  old  man  appeared  to  be  very  much  astonished. 

"Heyo!  whar  you  bin  hidin',  honey?  Yer  'tis  mos* 
way  atter  supper  en  you  aint  in  de  bed  yit.  Well  —  well 
—  well!  Sit  over  ag'in  de  chimbly  jam  dar  whar  you  kin 
dry  dem  shoes.  En  de  ve'y  nex'  time  w'at  I  see  you  wadin' 
in  dat  branch,  wid  de  sickly  season  comin'  on,  I'm  a- 
gwine  ter  take  you  'cross  my  shoulder  en  kyar  you  ter 
Miss  Sally,  en  ef  dat  aint  do  no  good,  den  I'll  kyar  you 
ter  Mars  John,  en  ef  dat  aint  do  no  good,  den  I'm  done 
wid  you,  so  dar  now!" 

The  little  boy  sat  silent  a  long  time,  listening  to  the 
casual  talk  of  Uncle  Remus  and  his  guests,  and  watching 
the  vapor  rise  from  his  wet  shoes.  Presently  there  was  a 
pause  in  the  talk,  and  the  child  said : 

"  Uncle  Remus,  have  I  been  too  bad  to  hear  a  story  ?  " 

The  old  man  straightened  himself  up  and  pushed  his 
spectacles  back  on  his  forehead. 

"  Now,  den,  folks,  you  year  w'at  he  say.  Shill  we  pur 
sue  on  atter  de  creeturs  ?  Shill  er  shan't  ? " 

"Bless  yo'  soul,  Brer  Remus,  I  mos'  'shame'  myse'f, 
yit  I  tell  you  de  Lord 's  trufe,  I  'm  des  ez  bad  atter  dem  ar 
tales  ez  dat  chile  dar." 


"IN  SOME  LADY'S  GARDEN"  179 

"Well,  den,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "a  tale  hit  is.  One 
time  dey  wuz  a  man,  en  dish  yer  man  he  had  a  gyardin. 
He  had  a  gyardin,  en  he  had  a  little  gal  fer  ter  min'  it. 
I  don't  'speck  dish  yer  gyardin  wuz  wide  lak  Miss  Sally 
gyardin,  but  hit  'uz  lots  longer.  Hit  'uz  so  long  dat  it 
run  down  side  er  de  big  road,  'cross  by  de  plum  thicket, 
en  back  up  de  lane.  Dish  yer  gyardin  wuz  so  nice  en 
long  dat  it  tuck'n  'track  de  'tention  er  Brer  Rabbit;  but 
de  fence  wuz  built  so  close  en  so  high,  dat  he  can't  git  in 
nohow  he  kin  fix  it." 

"Oh,  I  know  about  that!"  exclaimed  the  little  boy. 
"The  man  catches  Brother  Rabbit  and  ties  him,  and  the 
girl  lets  him  loose  to  see  him  dance." 

Uncle  Remus  dropped  his  chin  upon  his  bosom.  He 
seemed  to  be  humbled. 

"Sis  Tempy,"  he  said,  with  a  sigh,  "you'll  hatter 
come  in  some  time  w'en  we  aint  so  crowded,  en  I'll  up 
en  tell  'bout  Billy  Malone  en  Miss  Janey." 

"  That  was  n't  the  story  I  heard,  Uncle  Remus,"  said 
the  little  boy.  "Please  tell  me  about  Billy  Malone  and 
Miss  Janey." 

"Ah-yi!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  with  a  triumphant 
smile  ;  "  I  'low'd  maybe  I  wa'n't  losin'  de  use  er  my 
'membunce,  en  sho'  nuff  I  aint.  Now,  den,  we  '11  des  wuk 
our  way  back  en  start  fa'r  en  squar'.  One  time  dey  wuz 
a  man,  en  dish  yer  man  he  had  a  gyardin  en  a  little  gal. 
De  gyardin  wuz  chock  full  er  truck,  en  in  de  mawnin's, 
w'en  de  man  hatter  go  off,  he  call  up  de  little  gal,  he  did, 
en  tell  'er  dat  she  mus'  be  sho'  en  keep  ole  Brer  Rabbit 


180  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

outer  de  gyardin.  He  tell  'er  dis  eve'y  mawnin';  but 
one  mawnin'  he  tuck  en  forgit  it  twel  he  git  ter  de  front 
gate,  en  den  he  stop  en  holler  back: 

" '  O  Janey !  You  Janey !  Min'  w'at  I  tell  you  'bout  ole 
Brer  Rabbit.  Don't  you  let  'im  get  my  nice  green  peas.' 

"Little  gal,  she  holler  back:  '  Yes,  daddy.' 

"  All  dis  time,  Brer  Rabbit  he  'uz  settin'  out  dar  in  de 
bushes  dozin'.  Yit,  w'en  he  year  he  name  call  out  so  loud, 
he  cock  up  one  year  en  lissen,  en  he  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat 
he  bleedz  ter  outdo  Mr.  Man.  Bimeby,  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
went  'roun'  en  come  down  de  big  road  des  ez  natchul  ez 
ef  he  bin  trafflin'  some'rs.  He  see  de  little  gal  settin'  by 
de  gate,  en  he  up'n  'low: 

"  *  Aint  dish  yer  Miss  Janey  ? ' 

"Little  gal  say:  'My  daddy  call  me  Janey.'  Uncle 
Remus  mimicked  the  voice  and  manner  of  a  little  girl. 
He  hung  his  head,  looked  excessively  modest,  and  spoke 
in  a  shrill  tone.  The  effect  was  so  comical  that  even 
Daddy  Jack  seemed  to  enjoy  it. 

" '  My  daddy  call  me  Janey;  w'at  yo'  daddy  call  you  ? ' 

"Brer  Rabbit  look  on  de  groun',  en  sorter  study  lak 
folks  does  w'en  dey  feels  bad.  Den  he  look  up  en  'low : 

"'I  bin  lose  my  daddy  dis  many  long  year,  but  w'en 
he  'live  he  call  me  Billy  Malone.'  Den  he  look  at  de  little 
gal  hard  en  'low :  '  Well,  well,  well !  I  aint  seed  you  sence 
you  'uz  a  little  bit  er  baby,  en  now  yer  you  is  mighty  nigh 
a  grown  'oman.  I  pass  yo'  daddy  in  de  road  des  now, 
en  he  say  I  mus'  come  en  tell  you  fer  ter  gimme  a  mess 
er  sparrer-grass.' 


"IN  SOME  LADY'S  GARDEN"  181 

"Little  gal,  she  fling  de  gate  wide  open,  en  let  Mr. 
Billy  Malone  git  de  sparrer-grass. 

"Man  come  back  en  see  whar  somebody  done  bin 
tromplin'  on  de  gyardin  truck,  en  den  he  call  up  de  little 
gal,  en  up'n  ax  'er  who  bin  dar  since  he  bin  gone;  en  de 
little  gal,  she  'low,  she  did,  dat  Mr.  Billy  Malone  bin  dar. 
Man  ax  who  in  de  name  er  goodness  is  Mr.  Billy  Malone. 
Little  gal  'low  hit 's  des  a  man  w'at  say  'er  daddy  sont  'im 
fer  ter  git  some  sparrer-grass  on  account  er  ole  acquaint 
ance.  Man  got  his  'spicions,  but  he  aint  say  nothin'. 

"Nex'  day,  w'en  he  start  off,  he  holler  en  tell  de  little 
gal  fer  ter  keep  one  eye  on  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  en  don't  let 
nobody  git  no  mo'  sparrer-grass.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  settin' 
off  dar  in  de  bushes,  en  he  year  w'at  de  man  say,  en  he  see 
'im  w'en  he  go  off.  Bimeby,  he  sorter  run  'roun',  ole  Brer 
Rabbit  did,  en  he  come  hoppin'  down  de  road,  twel  he 
git  close  up  by  de  little  gal  at  de  gyardin  gate.  Brer  Rab 
bit  drapt  'er  his  biggest  bow,  en  ax  'er  how  she  come  on. 
Den,  atter  dat,  he  'low,  he  did: 

' '  I  see  yo'  daddy  gwine  'long  down  de  road  des  now, 
en  he  gimme  a  rakin'  down  'kaze  I  make  'way  wid  de 
sparrer-grass,  yit  he  say  dat  bein'  's  how  I  sech  a  good 
fr'en'  er  de  fambly  I  kin  come  en  ax  you  fer  ter  gimme  a 
mess  er  Inglish  peas.' 

"Little  gal,  she  tuck'n  fling  de  gate  wide  open,  en  ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  march  in,  he  did,  en  he  git  de  peas  in  a 
hurry.  Man  come  back  atter  w'ile,  en  he  'low : 

' '  Who  bin  tromplin'  down  my  pea- vines  ? ' 

"'Mr.  Billy  Malone,  daddy.' 


182  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Man  slap  he  han'  on  he  f orrud ; l  he  dunner  w'at  ter 
make  er  all  dis.  Bimeby,  he  'low: 

" '  Wat  kinder  lookin'  man  dish  yer  Mr.  Billy  Malone  ? ' 

"'  Split  lip,  pop  eye,  big  year,  en  bob-tail,  daddy/ 

"Man  say  he  be  bless  ef  he  aint  gwine  ter  make  de 
acquaintance  er  Mr.  Billy  Malone  ;  en  he  went  ter  wuk, 
he  did,  en  fix  'im  up  a  box-trap,  en  he  put  some  goobers  in 
dar,  en  he  tell  de  little  gal  nex'  time  Mr.  Billy  Malone 
come  fer  'vite  'im  in.  Nex'  mawnin',  Man  git  little  ways 
f um  de  house  en  tuck'n  holler  back,  he  did : 

"  *  Watsumever  you  does,  don't  you  dast  ter  let  nobody 
git  no  mo'  sparrer-grass,  en  don't  you  let  um  git  no  mo' 
Inglish  peas.' 

"Little  gal  holler  back:  'No,  daddy.' 

"  Den,  atter  dat,  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  yer  come  Mr.  Billy 
Malone,  hoppin'  'long  down  de  big  road.  He  drapt  a  bow, 
he  did,  en  'low : 

** Mawnin',  Miss  Janey,  mawTnin'!  Met  yo'  daddy 
down  de  big  road,  en  he  say  dat  I  can't  git  no  mo'  sparrer- 
grass  en  green  peas,  but  you  kin  gimme  some  goobers.* 

"Little  gal,  she  lead  de  way,  en  tell  Mr.  Billy  Malone 
dar  dey  is  in  de  box.  Mr.  Billy  Malone,  he  lick  he  chops, 
he  did,  en  'low: 

"'You  oughter  be  monst'us  glad,  honey,  dat  you  got 
sech  a  good  daddy  lak  dat.' 

"  Wid  dat,  Mr.  Billy  Malone  wunk  he  off  eye,  en  jump 
in  de  box." 

"  Wat  I  done  tell  you ! "  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy. 
1  Forehead. 


"IN  SOME  LADY'S  GARDEN"  183 

"He  jump  in  de  box,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "en 
dar  he  wuz,  en  ef  de  little  gal  hadder  bin  a  minnit 
bigger,  I  lay  she'd  'a'  tuck'n  done  some  mighty  tall 
winkin', 

"  Man  aint  gone  fur,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  yer  he  come 
back.  Wen  Brer  Rabbit  year  'im  comin'  he  bounce 
'roun'  in  dar  same  ez  a  flea  in  a  piller-case,  but 't  aint  do 
no  good.  Trap  done  fall,  en  Brer  Rabbit  in  dar.  Man 
look  thoo  de  slats,  en  'low: 

" '  Dar  you  is  —  same  old  hoppum-skippum  run  en 
jumpum.  Youer  de  ve'y  chap  I  'm  atter.  I  want  yo'  foot 
fer  ter  kyar  in  my  pocket,  I  want  yo'  meat  fer  ter  put  in 
de  pot,  en  I  want  yo'  hide  fer  ter  w'ar  on  my  head/ 

"Dis  make  cole  chill  rush  up  en  down  Brer  Rabbit 
backbone,  en  he  git  more  'umble  dan  a  town  nigger  w'at 
been  kotch  out  atter  nine  erclock.1  He  holler  en  cry,  en 
cry  en  holler: 

' '  Do  pray,  Mr.  Man,  tu'n  me  go !  I  done  'ceive  you 
dis  time,  but  I  aint  gwine  ter  'ceive  you  no  mo'.  Do  pray, 
Mr.  Man,  tu'n  me  go,  des  dis  little  bit  er  time.' 

"Man  he  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  He  look  lak  he  studyin' 
'bout  somep'n'  ne'r  way  off  yan',  en  den  he  take  de  little 
gal  by  de  han'  en  go  off  todes  de  house." 

"  Sho'ly  Brer  Rabbit  time  done  come  now!"  exclaimed 
Aunt  Tempy,  in  a  tone  of  mingled  awe  and  expectation. 

Uncle  Remus  paid  no  attention  to  the  interruption,  but 
went  right  on: 

1  During1  slavery,  the  ringing  of  the  nine-o'clock  bell  in  the  towns  and 
villages  at  night  was  the  signal  for  all  negroes  to  retire  to  their  quarters. 


184  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Hit  seem  lak  dat  Brer  Rabbit  got  mo'  luck  dan  w'at 
you  kin  shake  a  stick  at,  'kaze  de  man  en  de  little  gal  aint 
good  en  gone  skacely  twel  yer  come  Brer  Fox  a-pirootin' 
'roun'.  Brer  Fox  year  Brer  Rabbit  holl'in'  en  he  up'n  ax 
w'at  de  'casion  er  sech  gwines  on  right  dar  in  de  broad 
open  daylight.  Brer  Rabbit  squall  out: 

"Lordy,  Brer  Fox!  you  better  make  'as'e  'way  fum 
yer,  'kaze  Mr.  Man  ull  ketch  you  en  slap  you  in  dish  yer 
box  en  make  you  eat  mutton  twel  you  ull  des  nat'ally 
bus'  right  wide  open.  Run,  Brer  Fox,  run!  He  bin  feedin' 
me  on  mutton  the  whole  blessid  mawnin'  en  now  he  done 
gone  atter  mo'.  Run,  Brer  Fox,  run!' 

"  Yit,  Brer  Fox  aint  run.  He  up'n  ax  Brer  Rabbit  how 
de  mutton  tas'e. 

"'He  tas'e  mighty  good  'long  at  fus',  but  miff's  a  miff, 
en  too  much  is  a  plenty.  Run,  Brer  Fox,  run!  He  ull 
ketch  you,  sho'!' 

"Yit,  Brer  Fox  aint  run.  He  up'n  'low  dat  he  b'leeve 
he  want  some  mutton  hisse'f,  en  wid  dat  he  onloose  de 
trap  en  let  Brer  Rabbit  out,  en  den  he  tuck'n  git  in  dar. 
Brer  Rabbit  aint  wait  fer  ter  see  w'at  de  upshot  gwine  ter 
be,  needer  —  I  boun'  you  he  aint.  He  des  tuck'n  gallop  off 
in  de  woods,  en  he  laff  en  laff  twel  he  hatter  hug  a  tree 
fer  ter  keep  fum  drappin'  on  de  groun'." 

"Well,  but  what  became  of  Brother  Fox?"  the  little 
boy  asked,  after  waiting  some  time  for  Uncle  Remus  to 
proceed. 

"Now,  den,  honey,"  said  the  old  man,  falling  back 
upon  his  dignity,  "  hit  e'en  about  takes  all  my  spar'  time 


BROTHER  'POSSUM  GETS  IN  TROUBLE     185 

fer  ter  keep  up  wid  you  en  Brer  Rabbit,  let  'lone  keepin' 
up  wid  Brer  Fox.      Ole  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  tuck  keer 
hisse'f,  en  now  let  Brer  Fox  take  keer  hisse'f." 
"  I  say  de  word ! "   exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy. 


XXXII 
BROTHER  'POSSUM  GETS  IN  TROUBLE 

WHEN  Uncle  Remus  began  his  story  of  Billy  Malone 
and  Miss  Janey,  Daddy  Jack  sat  perfectly  quiet.  His 
eyes  were  shut,  and  he  seemed  to  be  dozing;  but,  as  the 
story  proceeded,  he  grew  more  and  more  restless.  Several 
times  he  was  upon  the  point  of  interrupting  Uncle  Remus, 
but  he  restrained  himself.  He  raised  his  hands  to  a  level 
with  his  chin,  and  beat  the  ends  of  his  fingers  gently 
together,  apparently  keeping  time  to  his  own  thoughts. 
But  his  impatience  exhausted  itself,  and  when  Uncle 
Remus  had  concluded,  the  old  African  was  as  quiet  as 
ever.  When  Brother  Fox  was  left  so  unceremoniously  to 
his  fate,  Daddy  Jack  straightened  himself  temporarily 
and  said: 

"  Me  yent  bin-a  yerry  da  tale  so.  'E  nice,  fer  true,  'e 
mek  larf  come;  oona  no  bin-a  yerry  um  lak  me." 

"No,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  grave  affability,  "I 
'speck  not.  One  man,  one  tale;  'n'er  man,  'n'er  tale. 
Folks  tell  um  diffunt.  I  boun'  yo'  way  de  bes',  Brer  Jack. 
Out  wid  it  —  en  we  ull  set  up  yer,  en  hark  at  you  en  laff 
wid  you  plum  twel  de  chick'ns  crow." 


186  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Daddy  Jack  needed  no  other  invitation.  He  clasped 
his  knee  in  his  hands  and  began : 

"  Dey  is  bin  lif  one  Man  wut  plan'  some  pea  in  'e  geer- 
den.  'E  plan'  some  pea,  but  'e  mek  no  pea;  B'er  Rabbit, 
'e  is  fine  um.  'E  fine  um  un  'e  eat  um.  Man  mek  no  pea, 
B'er  Rabbit  'e  'stroy  um  so.  'E  plan'  dem  pea;  dey  do 
grow,  un  'e  go  off.  'E  come  bahk;  pea  no  dere.  B'er 
Rabbit  teer  um  up  un  mek  'e  cud  wit'  dem.  So  long  tarn, 
Man  say  'e  gwan  ketch  um,  un  'e  no  ketch  um.  Man  go, 
B'er  Rabbit  come;  Man  come,  B'er  Rabbit  go.  Bumbye, 
Man,  'e  is  git  so  mad,  'e  y-eye  bin-a  come  red;  'e  crack 
'e  toof,  'e  do  cuss.  'E  oby  'e  gwan  ketch  B'er  Rabbit 
nohow.  Dun  'e  is  bin-a  call  'e  lilly  gal.  'E  talk,  'e  tell 
'im  fer  let  B'er  Rabbit  go  troo  da  geerden  gett.  Lil  gal 
say  yasser.  'E  talk,  'e  tell  'im  wun  B'er  Rabbit  go  troo 
da  gett,  dun  'e  mus'  shed  da  gett,  un  no  le'm  come  pas' 
no  mo'.  Lil  gal  say  yasser. 

"Ole  Man  is  bin-a  gone  'bout  'e  wuk;  HI  gal,  'e  do 
lissun.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  come  tippy-toe,  tippy-toe;  gone 
in  da  geerden;  eat  dem  pea  tel  'e  full  up;  eat  tel  he 
mos'  git  seeck  wit'  dem  pea.  Dun  'e  start  fer  go  out;  'e 
fine  da  gett  shed.  'E  shek  um,  'e  no  open;  'e  push  um, 
'e  no  open ;  'e  fair  grunt,  'e  push  so  hard  'e  no  open.  'E 
bin-a  call  da  lil  gal ;  'e  say : 

" '  Lil  gal,  lil  gal !  cum  y-open  da  gett.  'T  is  hu't  me 
feelin'  fer  fine  da  gett  shed  lak  dis.' 

"  Lil  gal  no  talk  nuttin'.   B'er  Rabbit  say: 

""T  is-a  bin  hu't  me  feelin',  lil  gal!  Come  y-open  da 
gett,  lil  gal,  less  I  teer  um  loose  from  da  hinch.' 


BROTHER  'POSSUM  GETS  IN  TROUBLE    187 

"  Lil  gal  v'ice  come  bahk.    'E  talk: 

'"  Daddy  say  mus'n'.' 

"B'er  Rabbit  open  'e  mout'.    'E  say: 

:< '  See  me  long  sha'p  toof  ?   'E  bite  you  troo  un  troo ! ' 

"  Lil  gal  skeer;  'e  tu'n  loose  de  gett  un  fly.  B'er  Rabbit 
gone!  Ole  Man  come  bahk;  'e  ahx  'bout  B'er  Rabbit. 
Lil  gal  say: 

""E  done  gone,  daddy.  I  shed  da  gett,  I  hoi'  um  fas'. 
B'er  Rabbit  bin  show  'e  toof;  'e  gwan  fer  bite-a  me  troo 
un  troo.  I  git  skeer',  daddy.'  Man  ahx: 

How  'e  gwin  fer  bite  you  troo  un  troo,  wun  'e  toof  fix 
bite  grass  ?  B'er  Rabbit  tell  one  big  tale.  'E  no  kin  bite-a 
you.  Wun  'e  come  'g'in,  you  shed  dem  gett,  you  hoi'  um 
tight,  you  no  le'm  go  pas'  no  mo'.'  Lil  gal  say  yasser. 

"  Nex'  day  mawnin',  Man  go  'long  'bout  'e  wuk.  Lil 
gal,  'e  play  'roun',  un  'e  play  'roun'.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is 
come  tippy-tippy.  'E  fine  gett  open ;  'e  slip  in  da  geerden. 
'E  chew  dem  pea,  'e  gnyaw  dem  pea;  'e  eat  tel  dem  pea 
tas'e  bad.  Dun  'e  try  fer  go  out;  gett  shed  fas'.  'E  no 
kin  git  troo.  'E  push,  gett  no  open;  'e  keek  wit'  um  fut, 
gett  no  open;  'e  butt  wit'  um  head,  gett  no  open.  Dun  'e 
holler : 

4 '  Lil  gal,  lil  gal !  come  y-open  da  gett.  'E  berry  bad 
fer  fool  wit'  ole  man  lak  me.  I  no  kin  hoi'  me  feelin' 
down  wun  you  is  do  lak  dis.  'E  berry  bad.' 

"Lil  gal  hoi'  'e  head  down;  'e  no  say  nuttin'.  B'er 
Rabbit  say: 

' '  Be  shame,  lil  gal,  fer  do  ole  man  lak  dis.  Me  feelin' 
git  wusser.  Come  y-open  de  gett  'fo'  I  is  teer  um  down.' 


188  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Lil  gal  say:  *  Daddy  say  mus'n'.' 

"B'er  Rabbit  open  'e  y-eye  wide;  'e  is  look  berry  mad. 
'E  say: 

;"See  me  big  y-eye?  I  pop  dis  y-eye  stret  at  you,  me 
kill-a  you  dead.  Come  y-open  da  gett  'fo'  me  y-eye 
pop.' 

"Lil  gal  skeer  fer  true.  'E  loose  de  gett,  'e  fair  fly. 
B'er  Rabbit  done  gone !  Lil  gal  daddy  bahk.  'E  ahx 
wey  is  B'er  Rabbit.  Lil  gal  say: 

""E  done  gone,  daddy.  I  hoP  gett  fas';  'e  is  bin-a 
'come  berry  mad.  'E  say  he  gwan  pop  'e  y-eye  at  me, 
shoot-a  me  dead.'  Man  say: 

"  *  B'er  Rabbit  tell-a  too  big  tale.  How  'e  gwan  shoot-a 
you  wit'  'e  y-eye  ?  'E  y-eye  sem  lak  turrer  folks  y-eye. 
Wun  'e  come  some  mo',  you  shed  dem  gett,  you  hoi'  um 
fas'.'  Lil  gal  say  yasser. 

"  Nex'  day  mawnin',  Man  go,  B'er  Rabbit  come.  'E 
is  ma'ch  in  da  gett  un  eat-a  dem  pea  tel  'e  kin  eat-a  no 
mo'.  'E  sta't  out;  gett  shed.  'E  no  kin  come  pas'.  'E 
shek,  'e  push,  'e  pull ;  gett  shed.  Dun  'e  holler : 

"  *  Lil  gal,  lil  gal !  come  y-open  da  gett.  'T  is  berry  bad 
fer  treat  you'  kin  lak  dis.  Come  y-open  da  gett,  lil  gal. 
'T  is  full  me  up  wit'  sorry  wun  you  do  lak  dis.' 

"Lil  gal,  'e  no  say  nuttin'.   B'er  Rabbit  say: 

""E  berry  bad  fer  treat  you'  kin  lak  dis.  Tu'n  go  da 
gett,  lil  gal.'  Lil  gal  say: 

"'How  you  is  kin  wit'  me,  B'er  Rabbit  ?' 

"'You'  gran'daddy  foller  at'  me  nuncle  wit'  'e  dog. 
Da  mek  we  is  kin.  Come  y-open  da  gett,  lil  gal.' " 


BROTHER  TOSSUM  GETS  IN  TROUBLE     189 

"  Dat  ole  Rabbit  wuz  a-talkin',  mon  !  "  exclaimed 
Aunt  Tempy,  enthusiastically. 

"Lil  gal  no  say  nuttin9  'tall  !  "  Daddy  Jack  went  on, 
with  renewed  animation.  "Dun  B'er  Rabbit  say: 

" '  See  me  long,  sha'p  toof,  lil  gal  ?  Me  bite-a  you  troo 
un  troo.'  Lil  gal  say: 

'"Me  no  skeer  da  toof.  'E  bite  nuttin'  'tall  'cep'  'e 
bite  grass.'  B'er  Rabbit  say: 

"'See  me  big  y-eye?  I  pop  um  at  you,  shoot-a  you 
dead.*  Lil  gal  say: 

" '  Me  no  skeer  da  y-eye.  'E  sem  lak  turrer  folks  y-eye/ 
B'er  Rabbit  say: 

"'Lil  gal,  you  mek  me  'come  mad.  I  no  lak  fer 
hu't-a  me  kin.  Look  at  me  ho'n!  I  run  you  troo  un 
troo.' 

"B'er  Rabbit  lif  'e  two  year  up;  'e  p'int  um  stret  at 
da  lil  gal.  Lil  gal  'come  skeer  da  ho'n;  'e  do  tu'n  go  da 
gett;  'e  fly  fum  dey-dey." 

"Well,  ef  dat  don't  beat!"  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy, 
laughing  as  heartily  as  the  little  boy.  "Look  at  um  one 
way,  en  Rabbit  year  does  look  lak  sho'  nuff  ho'ns." 

"Lil  gal  tu'n  go  da  gett,"  Daddy  Jack  continued; 
"  B'er  Rabbit  gone  I  Man  come  bahk  ;  'e  ahx  wey  is 
B'er  Rabbit.  Lil  gal  cry;  'e  say 'e  skeer  Brer  Rabbit  ho'n. 
Man  say  'e  is  hab  no  ho'n.  Lil  gal  is  stan'  um  down  'e 
see  ho'n.  Man  say  da  ho'n  is  nuttin'  'tall  but  B'er  Rab 
bit  year  wut  'e  yeddy  wit'.  'E  tell  lil  gal  nex'  tarn  B'er 
Rabbit  come,  'e  mus'  shed  da  gett;  'e  mus'  run  fum 
dey-dey  un  leaf  um  shed.  Lil  gal  say  yasser. 


190  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Man  gone,  B'er  Rabbit  come.  'E  is  go  in  da  gett;  'e 
eat-a  dem  pea  tel  'e  tire'.  'E  try  fer  go  pas'  da  gett,  gett 
shed.  'E  call  HI  gal ;  lil  gal  gone  !  'E  call,  call,  call ;  HI 
gal  no  yeddy.  'E  try  fer  fine  crack  in  da  palin'  ;  no  crack 
dey.  'E  try  fer  jump  over;  de  palin'  too  high,  'E  'come 
skeer;  'e  is  'come  so  skeer  'e  squot  'pun  da  groun';  'e 
shek,  'e  shiver. 

"Man  come  bahk.     'E  ahx  wey  B'er  Rabbit.     Lil  gal 

say  'e  in  da  geerden.    Man  hug  lil  gal,  'e  is  lub  um  so. 

'E  go  in  da  geerden;  'e  fine  B'er  Rabbit.    'E  ketch  um 

-  'e  ca'  um  off  fer  kill  um ;  'e  mad  fer  true.   Lil  gal  come 

holler: 

"' Daddy,  daddy!  missus  say  run  dere!  'E  wan'  you 
come  stret  dere ! ' 

"Man  tie  B'er  Rabbit  in  da  bag;  'e  hang  um  on  tree 
lim'.  'E  say: 

"'I  gwan  come  bahk.  I  1'arn  you  fer  mek  cud  wit' 
me  green  pea.' 

"Man  gone  fer  see  'e  missus.  Bumbye,  B'er  'Possum 
is  bin-a  come  pas'.  'E  look  up,  'e  ketch  glimp'  da  bag 
'pun  da  lim'.  'E  say: 

"'Ki!  Wut  dis  is  bin-a  hang  in  da  bag  'pun  da  tree- 
lim'?'  B'er  Rabbit  say: 

"'Hush,  B'er  'Possum!  'T  is-a  me.  I  bin-a  lissen  at 
dem  sing  in  da  cloud.' 

"B'er  'Possum  lissen.    'E  say: 

"'I  no  yed  dem  sing,  B'er  Rabbit.' 

" '  Hush,  B'er  'Possum !  How  is  I  kin  yeddy  dem  sing 
wun  you  is  mek-a  da  fuss  dey-dey  ? ' 


BROTHER  'POSSUM  GETS  IN  TROUBLE     191 

"B'er  'Possum,  'e  hoi'  'e  mout'  still,  'cep'  'e  do  grin. 
B'er  Rabbit  say: 

"'I  yed  dem  now!  I  yed  dem  now!  B'er  'Possum,  I 
wish  you  is  yeddy  dem  sing ! ' 

"B'er  'Possum  say  'e  mout'  water  fer  yeddy  dem  sing 
in  da  cloud.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  say  'e  is  bin-a  hab  so  long 
tarn  'quaintun  wit'  B'er  'Possum,  'e  le'm  yeddy  dem  sing. 
'Esay: 

"I  git  fum  da  bag,  I  tu'n-a  you  in  tel  you  is  yeddy 
clem  sing.  Dun  you  is  git  fum  da  bag,  tel  I  do  come 
bahk  un  'joy  mese'f.' 

"B'er  'Possum,  'e  do  clam  up  da  tree;  'e  git  dem  bag, 
'e  bring  um  down.  'E  tak  off  da  string;  'e  tu'n  B'er 
Rabbit  go.  'E  crawl  in  un  'e  quile  up.  'E  say: 

"'I  no  yeddy  dem  sing,  B'er  Rabbit!' 

"'Hi!  wait  tel  da  bag  it  tie,  B'er  'Possum.  You  yed 
dem  soon  nuff ! '  'E  wait. 

"'I  no  yeddy  dem  sing,  B'er  Rabbit!' 

" '  Hi !  wait  tel  I  clam  da  tree,  B'er  'Possum.  You  yed 
dem  soon  nuff!'  'E  wait. 

" '  I  no  yeddy  dem  sing,  B'er  Rabbit!' 

"Wait  tel  I  fix  um  'pun  da  lim',  B'er  'Possum.  You 
yed  dem  soon  nuff ! '  'E  wait. 

"B'er  Rabbit  clam  down;  'e  run  'way  fum  dey-dey; 
'e  hide  in  da  bush  side.  Man  come  bahk.  'E  see  da  bag 
moof.  B'er  'Possum  say: 

"  I  no  yeddy  dem  sing.    I  wait  fer  yed  um  sing !  * 

" Man  t'ink  'e  B'er  Rabbit  in  da  bag.    'E  say: 

"  *  Ah-yi-ee !   I  mekky  you  yed  dem  sing ! ' 


192  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Man  tek-a  da  bag  fum  da  tree-lim' ;  'e  do  slam  da 
bag  'gin'  da  face  da  ye't'.  'E  tek-a  'e  walkin'-cane,  un  'e 
beat  B'er  'Possum  wut  is  do  um  no  ha'm  tel  'e  mos'  kill 
am.  Man  t'ink  B'er  Rabbit  mus'  bin  dead  by  dis.  'E 
iook  in  da  bag;  'e  'tretch  'e  y-eye  big;  'e  'stonish'.  B'er 
Rabbit,  'e  do  come  fum  da  bush  side;  'e  do  holler,  'e  do 
laff.  'E  say: 

" '  You  no  is  ketch-a  me !  I  t'ief  you'  green  pea,  —  I 
t'ief  um  some  mo',  —  I  t'ief  um  tel  I  dead!' 

"Man,  'e  'come  so  mad,  'e  is  fling  hatchet  at  B'er 
Rabbit  un  chop  off  'e  tail." 

At  this  moment  Daddy  Jack  subsided.  His  head 
drooped  forward,  and  he  was  soon  in  the  land  of  Nod. 
Uncle  Remus  sat  gazing  into  the  fireplace,  as  though  lost 
in  reflection.  Presently,  he  laughed  softly  to  himself,  and 
said: 

"Dat's  des  'bout  de  long  en  de  short  un  it.  Mr.  Man 
clip  off  Brer  Rabbit  tail  wid  de  hatchet,  en  it  bleed  so 
free  dat  Brer  Rabbit  rush  off  ter  de  cotton-patch  en  put 
some  lint  on  it,  en  down  ter  dis  day  dat  lint  mos'  de  fus' 
t'ing  you  see  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  jump  out'n  he  bed  en  tell 
you  good-bye." 

"But,  Uncle  Remus,  what  became  of  Brother  'Pos 
sum  ? " 

Uncle  Remus  smacked  his  lips  and  looked  wise. 

"Don't  talk  'bout  Brer  'Possum,  honey,  ef  dat  ar  Mr. 
Man  wuz  nice  folks  lak  we  all  is,  en  I  aint  'spute  it,  he 
tuck'n  tuck  Brer  'Possum  en  bobbycue  'im,  en  I  wish  I 
had  a  great  big  piece  right  now.  Dat  I  does." 


WHY  GUINEA-FOWLS  ARE  SPECKLED     193 

XXXIII 
WHY  THE  GUINEA-FOWLS  ARE  SPECKLED 

ONE  night,  while  the  little  boy  was  watching  Uncle 
Remus  broil  a  piece  of  bacon  on  the  coals,  he  heard  a 
great  commotion  among  the  guinea-fowls.  The  squawk 
ing  and  pot-racking  went  on  at  such  a  rate  that  the  geese 
awoke  and  began  to  scream,  and  finally  the  dogs  added 
their  various  voices  to  the  uproar.  Uncle  Remus  leaned 
back  in  his  chair  and  listened. 

"  I  'speck  may  be  dat  's  de  patter-rollers  gwine  by,"  he 
said,  after  a  while.  "But  you  can't  put  no  'pen'unce  in 
dem  ar  Guinny-hins,  'kaze  dey'll  wake  up  en  holler  ef 
dey  year  deyse'f  sno'.  Dey'll  fool  you,  sho'." 

"  They  are  mighty  funny,  anyhow,"   said  the  little  boy. 

"Dat's  it!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus.  "Dey  looks 
quare,  en  dey  does  quare.  Dey  aint  do  lak  no  yuther 
kinder  chick'n,  en  dey  aint  look  lak  no  yuther  kinder 
chick' n.  Yit  folks  tell  me,"  the  old  man  went  on,  reflec 
tively,  "  dat  dey  er  heap  mo'  kuse  lookin'  now  dan  w'at 
dey  use'  ter  be.  I  year  tell  dat  dey  wuz  one  time  w'en 
dey  wuz  all  blue,  'stid  er  havin'  all  dem  ar  teenchy  little 
spots  on  um." 

"  Well,  how  did  they  get  to  be  speckled,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 
asked  the  little  boy,  seeing  that  the  old  man  was  disposed 
to  leave  the  subject  and  devote  his  attention  to  his  broiling 
bacon. 

Uncle  Remus  did  not  respond  at  once.    He  turned  his 


194  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

meat  over  carefully,  watched  it  a  little  while,  and  then 
adroitly  transferred  it  to  the  cover  of  a  tin  bucket,  which 
was  made  to  answer  the  purpose  of  a  plate.  Then  he 
searched  about  in  the  embers  until  he  found  his  ash-cake, 
and  in  a  little  while  his  supper  was  ready  to  be  eaten. 

"I  aint  begrudgin'  nobody  nothin',"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
measuring  the  victuals  with  his  eye  ;  "  yit  I  'm  monst'us 
glad  Brer  Jack  aint  nowhar's  'roun',  'kaze  dey  aint  no 
tellin'  de  gawm  dat  ole  nigger  kin  eat.  He  look  shaky,  en 
he  look  dry  up,  en  he  aint  got  no  toof,  yit  w'ence  he  set 
hisse'f  down  whar  dey  any  vittles,  he  des  nat'ally  laps  hit 
up.  En  let  'lone  dat,  he  ull  wipe  he  mouf  en  look  'roun' 
des  lak  he  want  mo'.  Time  Miss  Sally  see  dat  ole  nigger 
eat  one  meal  er  vittles,  I  boun'  you  he  hatter  go  back 
down  de  country.  I  aint  begrudgin'  Brer  Jack  de  vittles," 
Uncle  Remus  went  on,  adopting  a  more  conciliatory  tone, 
"  dat  I  aint,  'kaze  folks  is  got  ter  eat  ;  but,  gentermens  ! 
you  be  'stonish'  w'en  you  see  Brer  Jack  'pesterin'  'long  er 
he  dinner." 

The  little  boy  sat  quiet  awhile,  and  then  reminded 
Uncle  Remus  of  the  guinea-fowls. 

"Tooby  sho',  honey,  tooby  sho'!  Wat  I  doin'  runnin' 
on  dis  a-way  'bout  ole  Brer  Jack  ?  Wat  he  done  ter  me  ? 
Yer  I  is  gwine  on  'bout  ole  Brer  Jack,  en  dem  ar  Guinny- 
hins  out  dar  waitin'.  Well,  den,  one  day  Sis  Cow  wuz 
a-grazin'  'bout  in  de  ole  flel'  en  lookin'  atter  her  calf.  De 
wedder  wuz  kinder  hot,  en  de  calf,  he  tuck'n  stan',  he  did, 
in  he  mammy  shadder,  so  he  kin  keep  cool,  en  so  dat  one 
flip  un  he  mammy  tail  kin  keep  the  flies  off  'n  bofe  un  urn. 


WHY  GUINEA-FOWLS  ARE  SPECKLED     195 

Alter  w'ile,  'long  come  a  drove  er  Guinnies.  De  Guinnies, 
dey  howdied,  en  Sis  Cow,  she  howdied,  en  de  Guinnies,  dey 
sorter  picked  'roun'  en  sun  deyse'f ;  en  Sis  Cow,  she  crap 
de  grass  en  ax  um  de  news  er  de  neighborhoods.  Dey 
went  on  dis  a-way  twel  'twa'n't  long  'fo'  dey  year  mighty 
kuse  noise  out  dar  t'er  side  er  de  ole  fieF.  De  Guinnies, 
dey  make  great  'miration,  des  lak  dey  does  deze  days,  en 
ole  Sis  Cow  fling  up  'er  head  en  look  all  'roun'.  She  aint 
see  nothin*. 

"  Atter  w'ile  dey  year  de  kuse  fuss  'g'in,  en  dey  look 
'roun',  en  bless  gracious!  stan'in'  right  dar,  'twix'  dem  en 
sundown,  wuz  a  great  big  Lion!" 

"  A  Lion,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  asked  the  little  boy,  in 
amazement. 

"Des  ez  sho'  ez  you  er  settin'  dar,  honey,  —  a  great 
big  Lion.  You  better  b'leeve  dey  wuz  a  monst'us  flutter- 
ment  'mungs  de  Guinnies,  en  ole  Sis  Cow,  she  looked 
mighty  skeer'd.  De  Lion  love  cow  meat  mos'  better  dan 
he  do  any  yuther  kinder  meat,  en  he  shake  he  head  en 
'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  '11  des  about  ketch  ole  Sis  Cow  en 
eat  'er  up,  en  take  en  kyar  de  calf  ter  he  fambly. 

"  Den  he  tuck  'n  shuck  he  head,  de  Lion  did,  en  make 
straight  at  Sis  Cow.  De  Guinnies  dey  run  dis  a-way,  en 
dey  run  t'er  way,  en  dey  run  all  'roun'  en  'roun' ;  but  ole 
Sis  Cow,  she  des  know  she  got  ter  stan'  'er  groun',  en 
w'en  she  see  de  Lion  makin'  todes  'er,  she  des  tuck'n 
drapt  'er  head  down  en  pawed  de  dirt.  De  Lion,  he  crope 
up,  he  did,  en  crope  'roun',  watchin'  fer  good  chance 
fer  ter  make  a  jump.  He  crope  'roun',  he  did,  but  no 


196          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

diffunce  which  a-way  he  creep,  dar  wuz  ole  Sis  Cow 
hawns  p'intin'  right  straight  at  'im.  Ole  Sis  Cow,  she 
paw  de  dirt,  she  did,  en  show  de  white  er  her  eyes,  en 
beller  way  down  in  'er  stomach. 

"Dey  went  on  dis  a-way,  dey  did,  twel  bimeby  de 
Guinnies,  dey  see  dat  Sis  Cow  aint  so  mighty  skeer'd,  en 
den  dey  'gun  ter  take  heart.  Fus'  news  you  know,  one  un 
um  sorter  drap  he  wings  en  fuzzle  up  de  fedders  en  run 
out  'twix'  Sis  Cow  en  de  Lion.  Wen  he  get  dar,  he  sorter 
dip  down,  he  did,  en  fling  up  dirt  des  lak  you  see  um  do  in 
de  ash-pile.  Den  he  tuck'n  run  back,  he  did,  en  time  he 
git  back,  'n'er  one  run  out  en  raise  de  dus'  'twix'  Sis  Cow 
en  de  Lion.  Den  'n'er  one,  he  run  out  en  dip  down  en 
shoo  up  de  dus';  den  'n'er  one  run  out  en  dip  down,  en 
'n'er  one  en  yit  'n'er  one,  twel,  bless  gracious!  time  dey 
all  run  out  en  dip  down  en  raise  de  dus',  de  Lion  wuz 
dat  blin'  twel  he  aint  kin  see  he  han'  befo'  'im.  Dis  make 
'im  so  mad  dat  he  make  a  splunge  at  Sis  Cow,  en  de  ole 
lady,  she  kotch  'im  on  her  hawns  en  got  'im  down,  en 
des  nat'ally  to'  intruls  out." 

"  Did  she  kill  the  Lion,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  asked  the  little 
boy,  incredulously. 

"  Dat  she  did  —  dat  she  did !  Yit  't  aint  make  'er  proud, 
'kaze  atter  de  Lion  done  good  en  dead,  she  tuck  en  call  up 
de  Guinnies,  she  did,  en  she  'low,  dey  bin  so  quick  fer  ter 
he'p  'er  out,  dat  she  wanter  pay  um  back.  De  Guinnies, 
dey  say,  sezee: 

" '  Don't  bodder  'long  er  we  all,  Sis  Cow,'  sezee.  '  You 
had  yo'  fun  en  we  all  had  ourn,  en  'ceppin'  dat  ar  blood 


•• 


WHY  GUINEA-FOWLS  ARE  SPECKLED     197 

en  ha'r  on  yo'  hawn,'  sezee,  *  dey  aint  none  un  us  any  de 
wuss  off,'  sezee. 

"  But  ole  Sis  Cow,  she  stan'  um  down,  she  did,  dat  she 
got  ter  pay  um  back,  en  den  atter  w'ile  she  ax  um  w'at 
dey  lak  bes'. 

"One  un  um  up  en  make  answer  dat  w'at  dey  lak  bes', 
Sis  Cow,  she  can't  gi'  um.  Sis  Cow,  she  up  en  'low  dat 
she  dunno  'bout  dat,  en  she  ax  um  w'at  is  it. 

"Den  de  Guinnies,  dey  tuck'n  huddle  up,  dey  did,  en 
hoi'  er  confab  wrid  one  er  'n'er,  en  w'iles  dey  er  doin'  dis, 
ole  Sis  Cow,  she  tuck'n  fetch  a  long  breff,  en  den  she  call 
up  'er  cud,  en  stood  dar  chawin'  on  it  des  lak  she  aint  had 
no  tribalation  dat  day. 

"Bimeby  one  er  de  Guinnies  step  out  fum  de  huddle- 
meiit  en  make  a  bow  en  'low  dat  dey  all  'ud  be  mighty 
proud  ef  Sis  Cow  kin  fix  it  some  way  so  dey  can't  be  seed 
so  fur  thoo  de  wToods,  'kaze  dey  look  blue  in  de  sun,  en 
dey  look  blue  in  de  shade,  en  dey  can't  hide  deyse'f 
nohow.  Sis  Cow,  she  chaw  on  'er  cud,  en  shet  'er  eyes, 
en  study.  She  chaw  en  chaw,  en  study  en  study.  Bimeby 
she  'low :  ^ 

" '  Go  fetch  me  a  pail ! '   Guinny-hin  laff ! 

" '  Law,  Sis  Cow !  w'at  de  name  er  goodness  you  gwine 
do  wid  a  pail  ? ' 

"'Go  fetch  me  a  pail!' 

"  Guinny-hin,  she  run'd  off,  she  did,  en  atter  w'ile  yer 
she  come  trottin'  back  wid  a  pail.  She  sot  dat  pail  down," 
continued  Uncle  Remus,  in  the  tone  of  an  eye-witness  to 
the  occurrence,  "  en  Sis  Cow,  she  tuck  'er  stan'  over  it,  en 


198  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

she  let  down  'er  milk  in  dar  twel  she  mighty  nigh  fill  de 
pail  full.  Den  she  tuck'n  make  dem  Guinny-hins  git  in 
a  row,  en  she  dip  'er  tail  in  dat  ar  pail,  en  she  switch  it  at 
de  fust  un  en  sprinkle  'er  all  over  wid  de  milk;  en  eve'y 
time  she  switch  'er  tail  at  um  she  'low : 
" '  I  loves  dis  un ! '  Den  she  'ud  sing : 

" '  Oh,  Blue,  go  'way  !  you  skill  not  stay  ! 
Oh,  Guinny,  be  Gray,  be  Gray  ! 

"She  tuck'n  sprinkle  de  las'  one  un  um,  en  de  Guin- 
nies,  dey  sot  in  de  sun  twel  dey  git  dry,  en  fum  dat  time 
out  dey  got  dem  little  speckles  un  um." 


XXXIV 
BROTHER  RABBIT'S  LOVE-CHARM 

"DEY  wuz  one  time,"  said  Uncle  Remus  one  night,  as 
they  all  sat  around  the  wide  hearth,  —  Daddy  Jack,  Aunt 
Tempy,  and  the  little  boy  in  their  accustomed  places,  - 
"  dey  wuz  one  time  w'en  de  t'er  creeturs  push  Brer  Rabbit 
so  close  dat  he  tuck  up  a  kinder  idee  dat  may  be  he  wa'n't 
ez  smart  ez  he  mout  be,  en  he  study  'bout  dis  plum  twel 
he  git  humble  ez  de  nex'  man.  'Las'  he  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat 
he  better  make  inquirements  — 

"  Ki ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  raising  both  hands  and 
grinning  excitedly,  "  wut  tale  dis  ?  I  bin  yerry  da  tale  wun 
I  is  bin  wean't  fum  me  mammy." 

"Well,  den,  Brer  Jack,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  in- 


BROTHER  RABBIT'S  LOVE-CHARM       199 

stinctive  deference  to  the  rules  of  hospitality,  "I  'speck 
you  des  better  whirl  in  yer  en  spin  'er  out.  Ef  you  git  'er 
mix  up  anywhars  I  ull  des  slip  in  front  er  you  en  ketch 
holt  whar  you  lef  off." 

With  that,  Daddy  Jack  proceeded : 

"  One  tarn,  B'er  Rabbit  is  bin  lub  one  noung  leddy." 

"  Miss  Meadows,  I  'speck,"  suggested  Uncle  Remus,  as 
the  old  African  paused  to  rub  his  chin. 

'  'E  no  lub  Miss  Meadow  nuttin'  't  all  !  "  exclaimed 
Daddy  Jack,  emphatically.  "'E  bin  lub  turrer  noung 
leddy  fum  dat.  'E  is  bin  lub  werry  nice  noung  leddy.  'E 
lub  'um  hard,  'e  lub  'um  long,  un  'e  is  gwan  try  fer  mek 
dem  noung  leddy  marry  wit'  'im.  Noung  leddy  seem  lak 
'e  no  look  'pon  B'er  Rabbit,  un  dis  is  bin-a  mek  B'er 
Rabbit  feel  werry  bad  all  da  day  long.  'E  moof  'way 
off  by  'ese'f;  'e  lose  'e  fat,  un  'e  heer  is  bin-a  come  out. 
Bumbye,  'e  see  one  ole  Affiky  mans  wut  is  bin-a  hunt  in 
da  fiel'  fer  root  en  yerrub  fer  mek  'e  met'cine  truck.  'E 
see  um,  un  he  go  toze  um.  Affiky  mans  open  'e  y-eye  big; 
'e  'stonish'.  'E  say: 

"Ki,  B'er  Rabbit!  you'  he'lt'  is  bin-a  gone;  'e  bin-a 
gone  un  lef  you.  Wut  mekky  you  is  look  so  puny  lak  dis  ? 
Who  is  bin  hu't-a  you'  feelin'  ? ' 

"B'er  Rabbit  larf  wit'  dry  grins.  'E  say: 

"Shoo!  I  bin  got  well.  Ef  you  is  see  me  wun  I  sick 
fer  true,  't  will  mekky  you  heer  stan'  up,  I  skeer  you  so.' 

"Affiky  mans,  'e  mek  B'er  Rabbit  stick  out  'e  tongue; 
'e  is  count  B'er  Rabbit  pulse.  'E  shekky  'e  head  ;  'e  do 
say: 


200  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'Hi,  B'er  Rabbit!  Wut  all  dis  ?  You  is  bin  ketch-a 
da  gal-fever,  un  'e  strak  in  'pon  you'  gizzud.' 

"  Den  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is  tell-a  da  Affiky  mans  'bout  dem 
noung  leddy  wut  no  look  toze  'im,  un  da  Affiky  mans,  'e 
do  say  'e  bin  know  gal  sem  lak  dat,  'e  is  bin  shum  befo'. 
'E  say  'e  kin  fix  all  dem  noung  leddy  lak  dat.  B'er  Rabbit, 
'e  is  feel  so  good,  'e  jump  up  high;  'e  is  bin  crack  'e  heel; 
'e  shekky  da  Affiky  mans  by  de  han'. 

"  Affiky  mans,  'e  say  B'er  Rabbit  no  kin  git  da  gal  'cep* 
'e  is  mek  'im  one  cha'm-bag.  'E  say  'e  mus'  git  one 
el'phan'  tush,  un  'e  mus'  git  one  'gater  toof,  un  'e  mils' 
git  one  rice-bud  bill.  B'er  Rabbit  werry  glad  'bout  dis, 
un  'e  hop  way  fum  dey-dey. 

"  'E  hop,  'e  run,  'e  jump  all  nex'  day  night,  un  bumbye 
'e  see  one  great  big  el'phan'  come  breakin*  'e  way  troo  da 
woots.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  say: 

"Ki!  Oona  big  fer  true  !  I  bin-a  yeddy  talk  'bout 
dis  in  me  y-own  countree.  Oona  big  fer  true  ;  too  big 
fer  be  strong.' 

"El'phan' say:  'See  dis!' 

"  'E  tek  pine  tree  in  'e  snout ;  'e  pull  um  by  da  roots ; 
'e  toss  um  way  off.  B'er  Rabbit  say: 

" '  Hi !  dem  tree  come  'cause  you  bin  high ;  'e  no  come 
'cause  you  bin  strong.' 

"El'phan'  say:   'See  dis!' 

"  'E  rush  troo  da  woots ;  'e  fair  teer  um  down.  B'er 
Rabbit  say: 

"'Hoo!  dem  is  bin-a  saplin'  wey  you  'stroy.  See  da 
big  pine  ?  Oona  no  kin  'stroy  dem.' 


BROTHER  RABBIT'S  LOVE-CHARM      201 

"El'phan'  say:   'Seedis!' 

'  'E  run  'pon  da  big  pine;  da  big  .pine  is  bin  too  tough. 
EFphan'  tush  stick  in  deer  fer  true;  da  big  pine  hoi'  um 
fas'.  B'er  Rabbit  git-a  dem  tush;  'e  fetch  um  wey  da 
Affiky  mans  lif.  Affiky  mans  say  el'phan'  is  bin  too  big 
fer  be  sma't.  'E  say  'e  mus'  haf  one  'gater  toof  fer  go  wit' 
el'phan'  tush. 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  do  crack  'e  heel;  'e  do  fair  fly  fum 
dey-dey.  'E  go  'long,  'e  go  'long.  Bumbye  'e  come  'pon 
'gater.  Da  sun  shiiin  hot;  da  'gater  do  'joy  'ese'f.  B'er 
Rabbit  say: 

* '  Dis  road,  'e  werry  bad ;  less  we  m.ek  good  one  by  da 
crick-side.' 

"  'Gater  lak  dat.  'E  wek  'ese'f  up  fum  'e  head  to  'e 
tail.  Dey  sta't  fer  clean  da  road.  'Gater,  'e  do  teer  da 
bush  wit'  'e  toof;  'e  sweep-a  da  trash  way  wit'  'e  tail. 
B'er  Rabbit,  'e  do  beat-a  da  bush  down  wit'  'e  cane.  'E 
hit  lef,  'e  hit  right;  'e  hit  up,  'e  hit  down;  'e  hit  all  'roun'. 
'E  hit  un  'e  hit,  tel  bumbye  'e  hit  'gater  in  'e  mout'  un 
knock-a  da  toof  out.  'E  grab  um  up ;  'e  gone  fum  dey-dey. 
*E  fetch-a  da  'gater  toof  wey  da  Affiky  mans  lif.  Affiky 
mans  say: 

'  'Gater  is  bin-a  got  sha'p  toof  fer  true.    Go  fetch-a  me 
one  rice-bud  bill.' 

"B'er  Rabbit  gone!  'E  go  'long,  'e  go  'long,  tel  'e  see 
rice-bud  swingin'  on  bush.  'E  ahx  um  kin  'e  fly. 

"Rice-bud  say:   'Seedis!' 

"  'E  wissle,  'e  sing,  'e  shek  'e  wing;   'e  fly  all  'roun'  un 


202  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"B'er  Rabbit  say  rice-bud  kin  fly  wey  da  win'  is  bin 
blow,  but  'e  no  kin  fly  wey  no  win'  blow. 

"Rice-bud  say,  'Enty!' 

"  'E  wait  fer  win'  stop  blowin' ;  'e  wait,  un  'e  fly  all 
'roun'  un  'roun'. 

"B'er  Rabbit  say  rice-bud  yent  kin  fly  in  house  wey 
dey  no  win'. 

"  Rice-bud  say,  *  Enty!' 

"  'E  fly  in  house,  'e  fly  all  'roun'  un  'roun'.  B'er  Rabbit 
pull  de  do'  shed ;  'e  look  at  dem  rice-bud ;  'e  say, '  Enty  !  ' 

"  'E  ketch  dem  rice-bud ;  'e  do  git  um  bill,  'e  fetch  um 
wey  da  Affiky  mans  lif.  Affiky  mans  says  dem  rice-bud 
bill  slick  fer  true.  'E  tekky  da  el'phan'  tush,  'e  tekky  da 
'gater  toof,  'e  tekky  da  rice-bud  bill,  he  pit  um  in  lil  bag; 
'e  swing  dem  bag  'pon  B'er  Rabbit  neck.  Den  B'er 
Rabbit  kin  marry  dem  noung  gal.  Enty!" 

Here  Daddy  Jack  paused  and  flung  a  glance  of  feeble 
tenderness  upon  'Tildy.  Uncle  Remus  smiled  contemp 
tuously,  seeing  which  'Tildy  straightened  herself,  tossed 
her  head,  and  closed  her  eyes  with  an  air  of  indescribable 
scorn. 

"I  dunner  what  Brer  Rabbit  mout  er  done,"  she  ex 
claimed;  "but  I  lay  ef  dey's  any  ole  nigger  man  totin'  a 
cunjer-bag  in  dis  neighborhood,  he'll  git  mighty  tired  un 
it  'fo'  it  do  'im  any  good  —  I  lay  dat ! " 

Daddy  Jack  chuckled  heartily  at  this,  and  dropped  off 
to  sleep  so  suddenly  that  the  little  boy  thought  he  was 
playing  'possum. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  SUBMITS  TO  A  TEST    203 

XXXV 
BROTHER  RABBIT  SUBMITS  TO  A  TEST 

"  UNCLE  REMUS,"  said  the  child,  "  do  you  reckon  Brother 
Rabbit  really  married  the  young  lady  ?  " 

"Bless  yo'  soul,  honey,"  responded  the  old  man,  with 
a  sigh,  "hit  b'long  ter  Brer  Jack  fer  ter  tell  you  dat. 
'T  aint  none  er  my  tale." 

"  Was  n't  that  the  tale  you  started  to  tell  ?  " 

"  Who  ?  Me  ?  Shoo  !  I  aint  'sputin'  but  w'at  Brer 
Jack  tale  des  ez  purty  ez  dey  er  any  needs  fer,  yit  't  aint 
none  er  my  tale." 

At  this,  the  little  boy  laid  his  head  upon  Uncle  Remus's 
knee  and  waited. 

"  Now,  den,"  said  the  old  man,  with  an  air  of  consider 
able  importance,  "  we  er  got  ter  go  'way  back  behime  dish 
yer  yallergater  doin's  w'at  Brer  Jack  bin  mixin'  us  up 
wid.  Ef  I  makes  no  mistakes  wid  my  'membunce,  de 
place  wharbouts  I  lef  off  wuz  whar  Brer  Rabbit  had  so 
many  'p'intments  fer  ter  keep  out  de  way  er  de  t'er  cree- 
turs  dat  he  'gun  ter  feel  monst'us  humblyfied.  Let  um 
be  who  dey  will,  you  git  folks  in  a  close  place  ef  you 
wanter  see  um  shed  der  proudness.  Dey  beg  mo'  samer 
dan  a  nigger  w'en  de  patter-rollers  ketch  'im.  Brer  Rab 
bit  aint  ko  no  beggin',  'kaze  dey  aint  kotch;  yit  dey  come 
so  nigh  it,  he  'gun  ter  feel  he  weakness. 

"  \Y'en  Brer  Rabbit  feel  dis  a-way,  do  he  set  down  flat 
er  de  groun'  en  let  de  t'er  creeturs  rush  up  en  grab  'im  ? 


204  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

He  mought  do  it  deze  days,  'kaze  times  done  change;  but 
in  dem  days  he  des  tuck'n  sot  up  wid  hisse'f  en  study 
'bout  w'at  he  gwine  do.  He  study  en  study,  en  las'  he 
up'n  tell  he  ole  'oman,  he  did,  dat  he  gwine  on  a  journey. 
Wid  dat,  ole  Miss  Rabbit,  she  tuck'n  fry  'im  up  a  rasher 
er  bacon,  en  bake  'im  a  pone  er  bread.  Brer  Rabbit  tied 
dis  up  in  a  bag  en  tuck  down  he  walkin'  cane  en  put 
out." 

"  Where  was  he  going,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  asked  the 
little  boy. 

"  Lemme  'lone,  honey !  Lemme  sorter  git  hit  up,  like. 
De  trail  mighty  cole  'long  yer,  sho' ;  'kaze  dish  yer  tale 
aint  come  'cross  my  min'  not  sence  yo'  gran'pa  fotch  us 
all  out  er  Ferginny,  en  dat 's  a  monst'us  long  time  ago. 

"  He  put  out,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  fer  ter  see  ole  Mammy- 
Bammy  Big-Money." 

"  Dat 'uz  dat  ole  Witch-Rabbit,"  remarked  Aunt  Tempy, 
complacently. 

"  Yasser,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "  de  ve'y  same  ole 
creetur  w'at  I  done  tell  you  'bout  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  los' 
he  foot.  He  put  out,  he  did,  en  atter  so  long  a  time  he 
git  dar.  He  take  time  fer  ter  ketch  he  win',  en  den 
he  sorter  shake  hisse'f  up  en  rustle  'roun'  in  de  grass. 
Bimeby  he  holler : 

Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money  !  O  Mammy-Bammy 
Big-Money!  I  journeyed  fur,  I  journeyed  fas';  I  glad  I 
foun'  de  place  at  las'.' 

"  Great  big  black  smoke  rise  up  out  er  de  groun',  en 
ole  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money  'low : 


BROTHER  RABBIT  SUBMITS  TO  A  TEST    205 

" '  Wharfo',  Son  Riley  Rabbit,  Riley  ?  Son  Riley  Rabbit, 
wharfo'?' 

"Wid  dat,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  dropping  the 
sing-song  tone  by  means  of  which  he  managed  to  impart 
a  curious  dignity  and  stateliness  to  the  dialogue  between 
Brother  Rabbit  and  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money,  — 
"  wid  dat  Brer  Rabbit  up'n  tell  'er,  he  did,  'bout  how  he 
fear'd  he  losin'  de  use  er  he  min',  'kaze  he  done  come  ter 
dat  pass  dat  he  aint  kin  fool  de  yuther  creeturs  no  mo', 
en  dey  push  'im  so  closte  twel  't  wont  be  long  'fo'  dey  '11 
git  'im.  De  ole  Witch-Rabbit  she  sot  dar,  she  did,  en 
suck  in  black  smoke  en  puff  it  out  'g'in,  twel  you  can't 
see  nothin'  't  all  but  'er  great  big  eyeballs  en  'er  great 
big  years.  Atter  w'ile  she  'low : 

"'Dar  sets  a  squer'l  in  dat  tree,  Son  Riley;  go  fetch 
dat  squer'l  straight  ter  me,  Son  Riley  Rabbit,  Riley.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  sorter  study,  en  den  he  'low,  he  did : 

"'I  aint  got  much  sense  lef,  yit  ef  I  can't  coax  dat 
chap  down  from  dar,  den  hit's  'kaze  I  done  got  some 
zeeze  w'ich  it  make  me  fibble  in  de  min','  sezee. 

"Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  empty  de  provender 
out'n  he  bag  en  got  'im  two  rocks,  en  put  de  bag  over 
he  head  en  sot  down  und'  de  tree  whar  he  squer'l  is. 
He  wait  little  w'ile,  en  den  he  hit  de  rocks  tergedder  — 
blip  I 

"Squer'l  he  holler,  'Hey!' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  wait  little,  en  den  he  tuck'n  slap  de  rocks 
tergedder  —  blap  ! 

"Squer'l  he  run  down  de  tree  little  bit  en  holler,  'Heyo!5 


206  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Brer  Rabbit  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  He  des  pop  de  rocks 
togedder  —  blop  ! 

"  Squer'l,  he  come  down  little  furder,  he  did,  en  holler, 
'Whodat?' 

" '  Biggidy  Dicky  Big-Bag ! ' 

"'  What  you  doin'  indar?' 

"'Crackin'  hick'y  nuts/ 

" '  Kin  I  crack  some  ? ' 

'Tooby  sho',  Miss  Bunny  Bushtail  ;  come  git  in  de 
bag.' 

"Miss  Bunny  Bushtail  hang  back,"  continued  Uncle 
Remus,  chuckling  ;  "  but  de  long  en  de  short  un  it  wuz 
dat  she  got  in  de  bag,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  tuck'n  kyar'd 
'er  ter  ole  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money.  De  ole  Witch- 
Rabbit,  she  tuck'n  tu'n  de  squer'l  a-loose,  en  'low: 

"'Dar  lies  a  snake  in  'mungs'  de  grass,  Son  Riley;  go 
fetch  'im  yer,  en  be  right  fas',  Son  Riley  Rabbit,  Riley.' 

"Brer  Rabbit  look  'roun',  en  sho'  nuff  dar  lay  de 
bigges'  kinder  rattlesnake,  all  quile  up  ready  fer  business. 
Brer  Rabbit  scratch  he  year  wid  he  behime  leg,  en  study. 
Look  lak  he  gwine  git  in  trouble.  Yit  atter  w'ile  he  go 
off  in  de  bushes,  he  did,  en  cut  'im  a  young  grape-vine, 
en  he  fix  'im  a  slip-knot.  Den  he  come  back.  Snake 
'periently  look  lak  he  sleep.  Brer  Rabbit  ax  'im  how  he 
come  on.  Snake  aint  say  nothin',  but  he  quile  up  a  little 
tighter,  en  he  tongue  run  out  lak  it  bin  had  grease  on  it. 
Mouf  shot,  yit  de  tongue  slick  out  en  slick  back  'fo'  a 
sheep  kin  shake  he  tail.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low,  he  did : 

"'Law,  Mr.  Snake,  I  mighty  glad  I  come  'cross  you,' 


BROTHER  RABBIT  SUBMITS  TO  A  TEST    207 

sezee.  *  Me  en  ole  Jedge  B'ar  bin  havin'  a  tumble  'spute 
'bout  how  long  you  is.  We  bofe  'gree  dat  you  look  mighty 
purty  w'en  youer  layin'  stretch  out  full  lenk  in  de  sun; 
but  Jedge  B'ar,  he  'low  you  aint  but  th'ee  foot  long, 
en  I  stood  'im  down  dat  you  'uz  four  foot  long  ef  not 
mo','  sezee.  'En  de  talk  got  so  hot  dat  I  come  mighty 
nigh  hittin'  'im  a  clip  wid  my  walkin'-cane,  en  ef  I  had  I 
boun'  dey  'd  er  bin  some  bellerin'  done  'roun'  dar,'  sezee. 

"  Snake  aint  say  nothin',  but  he  look  mo'  complassy  1 
dan  w'at  he  bin  lookin'. 

" '  I  up'n  tole  ole  Jedge  B'ar,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee, 
'  dat  de  nex'  time  I  run  'cross  you  I  gwine  take'n  medjer 
you  ;  en  goodness  knows  I  mighty  glad  I  struck  up  wid 
you,  'kaze  now  dey  won't  be  no  mo'  'casion  fer  any 
'sputin'  'twix'  me  en  Jedge  B'ar,'  sezee. 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit  ax  Mr.  Snake  ef  he  won't  be  so 
good  ez  ter  onquile  hisse'f.  Snake  he  feel  mighty  proud, 
he  did,  en  he  stretch  out  fer  all  he  wuff .  Brer  Rabbit  he 
medjer,  he  did,  en  'low: 

" '  Dar  one  foot  fer  Jedge  B'ar;  dar  th'ee  foot  fer  Jedge 
B'ar;  en,  bless  goodness,  dar  four  foot  fer  Jedge  B'ar,  des 
laklsay!' 

"  By  dat  time  Brer  Rabbit  done  got  ter  snake  head,  en 
des  ez  de  las'  wud  drop  out'n  he  mouf,  he  slip  de  loop 
'roun'  snake  neck,  en  den  he  had  'im  good  en  fas'.  He 
tuck'n  drag  'im,  he  did,  up  ter  whar  de  ole  Witch-Rabbit 
settin'  at  ;  but  w'en  he  git  dar,  Mammy-Bammy  Big- 

1  A  mixture  of  "complacent"  and  "placid."    Accent  on  the  second 

syllable 


208  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Money  done  make  'er  disappearance,  but  he  year  sump'n' 
way  off  yander,  en  seem  lak  it  say : 

"'Ef  you  git  any  mo'  sense,  Son  Riley,  you'll  be  de 
ruination  ev  de  whole  settlement,  Son  Riley  Rabbit, 
Riley.' 

"Den  Brer  Rabbit  drag  de  snake  'long  home,  en  stew 
'im  down  en  rub  wid  de  grease  fer  ter  make  'im  mo  'soopler 
in  de  lim's.  Bless  yo'  soul,  honey,  Brer  Rabbit  mought 
er  bin  kinder  fibble  in  de  legs,  but  he  wa'n't  no  ways 
cripple  und'  de  hat."  * 

XXXVI 
BROTHER  WOLF  FALLS  A  VICTIM 

"UNCLE  REMUS,"  said  the  little  boy,  one  night,  when 
he  found  the  old  man  sitting  alone  in  his  cabin,  "did 
you  ever  see  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money  ?  " 

Uncle  Remus  placed  his  elbows  on  his  knees,  rested  his 
chin  in  the  palms  of  his  hands,  and  gazed  steadily  in  the 
fire.  Presently  he  said : 

"W'en  folks  'gin  ter  git  ole  en  no  'count,  hit  look  lak 

1  A  version  of  this  story  makes  Brother  Rabbit  capture  a  swarm  of  bees. 
Mr.  W.  0.  Tuggle,  of  Georgia,  who  has  made  an  exhaustive  study  of  the 
Creek  Indians,  has  discovered  a  variant  of  the  leg-end.  The  Rabbit  (Chufee) 
becomes  alarmed  because  he  has  nothing  but  the  nimbleness  of  his  feet  to 
take  him  out  of  harm's  way.  He  goes  to  his  Creator  and  begs  that  greater 
intelligence  be  bestowed  upon  him.  Thereupon  the  snake  test  is  applied, 
as  in  the  negro  story,  and  the  Rabbit  also  catches  a  swarm  of  gnats.  He  is 
then  told  that  he  has  as  much  intelligence  as  there  is  any  need  for,  and  he 
goes  away  satisfied. 


BROTHER  WOLF  FALLS  A  VICTIM      209 

der  'membunce  git  slack.  Some  time  hit  seem  lak  I  done 
seed  sump'n'  n'er  mighty  nigh  de  make  en  color  er  ole 
Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money,  en  den  ag'in  seem  lak  I 
aint.  Wen  dat  de  case,  w'at  does  I  do  ?  Does  I  stan* 
tiptoe  en  tetch  de  rafters  en  make  lak  I  done  seed  dat  ole 
Witch-Rabbit,  w'en,  goodness  knows,  I  aint  seed  'er? 
Dat  I  don't.  No,  bless  you !  I  'd  say  de  same  in  comp'ny, 
much  less  settin'  in  yer  'long  side  er  you.  De  long  en  de 
short  un  it,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  with  emphasis, 
"is  des  dis.  Ef  I  bin  run  'crost  ole  Mammy-Bammy  Big- 
Money  in  my  day  en  time,  den  she  tuck'n  make  'er  dis 
appearance  dat  quick  twel  I  aint  kotch  a  glimp'  un  'er." 

The  result  of  this  good-humored  explanation  was  that 
the  child  did  n't  know  whether  Uncle  Remus  had  seen 
the  Witch-Rabbit  or  not,  but  his  sympathies  led  him  to 
suspect  that  the  old  man  was  thoroughly  familiar  with 
all  her  movements. 

"Uncle  Remus,"  the  little  boy  said,  after  a  while, 
"if  there  is  another  story  about  Mammy-Bammy  Big- 
Money,  I  wish  you  would  tell  it  to  me  all  by  my  own- 
alone  self." 

The  idea  seemed  to  please  the  old  man  wonderfully, 
and  he  chuckled  over  it  for  several  minutes. 

"Now,  den,  honey,"  he  said,  after  a  while,  "you  hit 
me  whar  I  'm  weak  —  you  mos'  sho'ly  does.  Comp'ny 
mighty  good  fer  some  folks  en  I  kin  put  up  wid  it  long 
ez  de  nex'  un,  but  you  kin  des  take'n  pile  comp'ny  'pun 
top  er  comp'ny,  en  dey  won't  kyore  de  liver  complaint. 
W'en  you  talk  dat  a-way  you  fetches  me,  sho',  en  I  '11  tell 


210  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

you  a  tale  'bout  de  ole  Witch-Rabbit  ef  I  hatter  git  down 
yer  on  my  all-fours  en  grabble  it  out'n  de  ashes.  Yit 
dey  aint  no  needs  er  dat,  'kaze  de  tale  done  come  in  my 
min'  des  ez  fresh  ez  ef  't  was  day  'fo'  yistiddy. 

"Hit  seem  lak  dat  one  time  atter  Brer  Wolf  tuck'n 
steal  Brer  Rabbit  foot,  dey  wuz  a  mighty  long  fallin'- 
out  'twix'  um.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  got  ashy  'kaze 
Brer  Wolf  tuck'n  tuck  he  foot;  en  Brer  Wolf,  he  tuck'n 
got  hot  'kaze  Brer  Rabbit  wuk  en  wuk  'roun'  en  git  he 
foot  ag'in.  Hit  keep  on  dis  a-way  twel  bimeby  de  ole 
Witch-Rabbit  sorter  git  tired  er  Brer  Wolf,  en  one  day 
she  tuck'n  sont  wud  ter  Brer  Rabbit  dat  she  lak  mighty 
well  fer  ter  see  'im. 

"  Dey  fix  up  der  plans,  dey  did,  en  't  wa'n't  so  mighty 
long  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit  run  inter  Brer  Wolf  house  in  a 
mighty  big  hurry,  en  he  'low,  he  did : 

' '  Brer  Wolf  !  O  Brer  Wolf  !  I  des  now  come  fum 
de  river,  en  des  ez  sho'  ez  youer  settin'  in  dat  cheer,  ole 
Big-Money  layin'  dar  stone  dead.  Less  l  we  go  eat  'er  up/ 

' '  Brer  Rabbit,  sho'ly  youer  jokin' ! ' 

' '  Brer  Wolf,  I  'm  a-ginin'  1  un  you  de  fatal  fack.  Come 
on,  less  go!' 

"'Brer  Rabbit,  is  you  sho'  she  dead  ?' 

"'Brer  Wolf,  she  done  dead;  come  on,  less  go!' 

"En  go  dey  did.  Dey  went  'roun'  en  dey  got  all  de 
yuther  creeturs,  en  Brer  Wolf,  livin'  so  nigh,  he  let  all 
he  chilluns  go,  en  't  wa'n't  so  mighty  long  'fo'  dey  had 
a  crowd  dar  des  lak  camp-meetin'  times. 

1  Let  us ;  let 's ;  less.  2  G  hard. 


BROTHER  WOLF  FALLS  A  VICTIM      211 

"W'en  dey  git  dar,  sho'  nuff,  dar  lay  ole  Big-Money 
all  stretch  out  on  de  river  bank.  Dis  make  Brer  Wolf 
feel  mighty  good,  en  he  tuck'n  stick  he  han's  in  he  pocket 
en  strut  'roun'  dar  en  look  monst'us  biggity.  Atter  he 
done  tuck'n  'zamine  ole  Big-Money  much  ez  he  wanter, 
he  up'n  'low,  he  did,  dat  dey  better  sorter  rustle  'roun'  en 
make  a  fa'r  dividjun.  He  ax  Brer  Mink,  he  ax  Brer  Coon, 
he  ax  Brer  'Possum,  he  ax  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  ax  Brer 
Rabbit,  w'ich  part  dey  take,  en  dey  all  up'n  'low,  dey 
did,  dat  bein'  ez  Brer  Wolf  de  biggest  en  de  heartiest  in 
de  neighborhoods  er  de  appetite,  dey  'speck  he  better  take 
de  fus'  choosement. 

"Wid  dat  Brer  Wolf,  he  sot  down  on  a  log,  en  hang 
he  head  ter  one  side,  sorter  lak  he  'shame'  er  hisse'f. 
Bimeby,  he  up'n  'low: 

"Now,  den,  folks  en  fr'en's,  sence  you  shove  it  on 
me,  de  shortes'  way  is  de  bes'  way.  Brer  Coon,  we  bin 
good  fr'en's  a  mighty  long  time;  how  much  er  dish  yer 
meat  ought  a  fibble 1  ole  man  lak  me  ter  take  ? '  sezee. 

"  Brer  Wolf  talk  mighty  lovin'.  Brer  Coon  snuff  de  a'r, 
en  'low: 

" '  I  'speck  you  better  take  one  er  de  fo'-quarters,  Brer 
Wolf,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Wolf  look  lak  he  'stonish'.  He  lif  up  he  han's, 
en  'low: 

"Law,  Brer  Coon,  I  tuck  you  ter  be  my  fr'en',  dat 
I  did.  Man  w'at  talk  lak  dat  aint  got  no  feelin'  fer  me. 
Hit  make  me  feel  mighty  lonesome/  sezee. 

1  Feeble. 


NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Den  Brer  Wolf  tu'n  'roun'  en  talk  mighty  lovin'  ter 
Brer  Mink: 

" '  Brer  Mink,  many 's  de  day  you  bin  a-knowin'  me  ; 
how  much  er  dish  yer  meat  you  'speck  oughter  fall  ter 
my  sheer  ? '  sezee. 

"  Brer  Mink  sorter  study,  en  den  he  'low : 

" '  Bein'  ez  you  er  sech  a  nice  man,  Brer  Wolf,  I  'speck 
you  oughter  take  one  er  de  fo'-quarters,  en  a  right  smart 
hunk  off'n  de  bulge  er  de  neck,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Wolf  holler  out,  he  did: 

*  *  Go  'way,  Brer  Mink !  Go  'way !  You  aint  no  'quaint- 
ance  er  mine ! ' 

"Den  ole  Brer  Wolf  tu'n  'roun'  ter  Brer  'Possum  en 
talk  lovin': 

"'Brer  'Possum,  I  done  bin  tuck  wid  a  likin'  fer  you 
long  time  'fo'  dis.  Look  at  me,  en  den  look  at  my  fambly, 
en  den  tell  me,  ef  you  be  so  good,  how  much  er  dish  yer 
meat  gwine  ter  fall  ter  my  sheer.' 

"Brer  'Possum,  he  look  'roun',  de  did,  en  grin,  en  he 
up'n  'low: 

"'Take  half,  Brer  Wolf,  take  half!' 

"Den  ole  Brer  Wolf  holler  out: 

"'Shoo,  Brer  'Possum!   I  like  you  no  mo'.' 

"  Den  ^rer  Wolf  tu'n  to  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  Brer  Tarry- 
pin  say  Brer  Wolf  oughter  take  all  'cep'  one  er  de  behime 
quarters,  en  den  Brer  Wolf  'low  dat  Brer  Tarrypin  aint 
no  fr'en'  ter  him.  Den  he  up'n  ax  Brer  Rabbit,  en  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  'spon',  he  did: 

"  *  Gentermuns  all !   you  see  Brer  Wolf  chillun  ?    Well, 


BROTHER  WOLF  FALLS  A  VICTIM      213 

dey  er  all  monst'us  hongry,  en  Brer  Wolf  hongry  hisse'f. 
Now  I  puts  dis  plan  straight  at  you:  less  we  all  let  Brer 
Wolf  have  de  fus'  pass  at  Big-Money;  less  tie  'im  on  dar, 
en  le'm  eat  much  ez  he  wanter,  en  den  we  kin  pick  de 
bones,'  sezee. 

'Youer  my  pardner,  Brer  Rabbit!'    sez  Brer  Wolf, 
sezee ;  '  youer  my  honey-pardner ! ' 

"Dey  all  'gree  ter  dis  plan,  mo'  'speshually  ole  Brer 
WTolf,  so  den  dey  tuck'n  tie  'im  onter  Big-Money.  Dey 
tie  'im  on  dar,  dey  did,  en  den  ole  Brer  Wolf  look  all 
'roun'  en  wunk  at  de  yuthers.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n 
wunk  back,  en  den  Brer  Wolf  retch  down  en  bite  Big- 
Money  on  de  back  er  de  neck.  Co'se,  w'en  he  do  dis, 
Big-Money  bleedz  ter  flinch  ;  let  'lone  dat,  she  bleedz 
ter  jump.  Brer  Wolf  holler  out: 

"'Ow!  Run  yer  somebody!  Take  me  off!  She  aint 
dead.  O  Lordy!  I  feel  'er  move!' 

Brer  Rabbit  holler  back : 

"'Nummine  de  flinchin',  Brer  Wolf.  She  done  dead; 
I  done  year  'er  sesso  *  'erse'f.  She  dead,  sho'.  Bite  er 
ag'in,  Brer  Wolf,  bite  'er  ag'in!' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  talk  so  stiff,  hit  sorter  tuck  de  chill  off  n 
Brer  Wolf,  en  he  dipt  down  en  bit  ole  Big-Money  ag'in. 
Wid  dat,  she  'gun  ter  move  off,  en  Brer  Wolf  he  holler 
des  lak  de  woods  done  kotch  a-fier: 

"*Ow!  O  Lordy!  Ontie  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  ontie  me! 
She  aint  dead !  Ow !  Run  yer,  Brer  Rabbit,  en  ontie  me ! ' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  holler  back: 
1  Say  so. 


214  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'She  er  sho'ly  dead,  Brer  Wolf!  Nail  'er,  Brer  Wolfi 
Bite  'er!  gnyaw  'er!' 

"Brer  Wolf  keep  on  bitin',  en  Big-Money  keep  on 
movin'  off.  Bimeby,  she  git  ter  de  bank  er  de  river,  en 
she  fall  in  —  cumberjoom  !  —  en  dat  'uz  de  las'  er  Brer 
Wolf." 

"What  did  Brother  Rabbit  do?"  the  little  boy  asked, 
after  a  while. 

"Well,"  responded  Uncle  Remus,  in  the  tone  of  one 
anxious  to  dispose  of  a  disagreeable  matter  as  pleasantly 
as  possible,  "you  know  w'at  kinder  man  Brer  Rabbit  is. 
He  des  went  off  some'rs  by  he  own-alone  se'f  en  tuck  a 
big  laugh." 

XXXVII 
BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  THE  MOSQUITOES 

THE  next  night  Daddy  Jack  was  still  away  when  the 
little  boy  went  to  see  Uncle  Remus,  and  the  child  asked 
about  him. 

"Bless  yo'  soul,  honey!  don't  ax  me  'bout  Brer  Jack. 
He  look  lak  he  mighty  ole  en  trimbly,  but  he  mighty 
peart  nigger,  mon.  He  look  lak  he  shufflin'  'long,  but 
dat  ole  nigger  gits  over  groun',  sho'.  Forty  year  ergo, 
maybe  I  mought  er  kep'  up  wid  'im,  but  I  let  you  know 
Brer  Jack  is  away  'head  er  me.  He  mos'  sho'ly  is." 

"Why,  he's  older  than  you  are,  Uncle  Remus!"  the 
child  exclaimed. 

"Dat  w'at  I  year  tell.  Seem  lak  hit  mighty  kuse,  but 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MOSQUITOES    215 

sho'  ez  youer  bawn  Brer  Jack  is  a  heap  mo'  pearler 
nigger  dan  w'at  ole  Remus  is.  He  little,  yit  he  mighty 
hard.  Dat 's  Brer  Jack,  up  en  down." 

Uncle  Remus  paused  and  reflected  a  moment.  Then 
he  went  on : 

"Talkin'  'bout  Brer  Jack  put  me  in  min'  'bout  a  tale 
w'ich  she  sho'ly  mus'  er  happen  down  dar  in  dat  ar 
country  whar  Brer  Jack  come  fum,  en  it  sorter  ketch  me 
in  de  neighborhoods  er  de  'stonishment  'kaze  he  aint  done 
up'n  tell  it.  I  'speck  it  done  wuk  loose  fum  Brer  Jack 
'membunce." 

"  What  tale  was  that,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 

"Seem  lak  dat  one  time  w'en  eve'ything  en  eve'ybody 
was  runnin'  'long  des  lak  dey  bin  had  waggin  grease 
'pun  urn,  ole  Brer  Wolf  " 

The  little  boy  laughed  incredulously  and  Uncle  Remus 
paused  and  frowned  heavily. 

"  Why,  Uncle  Remus !  how  did  Brother  Wolf  get  away 
from  Mammy-Bammy  Big-Money  ? " 

The  old  man's  frown  deepened  and  his  voice  was  full  of 
anger  as  he  replied : 

"  Now,  den,  is  I  'm  de  tale,  er  is  de  tale  me  ?  Tell  me 
dat !  Is  I  'm  de  tale,  er  is  de  tale  me  ?  Well,  den,  ef  I  aint 
de  tale  en  de  tale  aint  me,  den  how  come  you  wanter 
take'n  rake  me  over  de  coals  fer  ? " 

"Well,  Uncle  Remus,  you  know  what  you  said.  You 
said  that  was  the  end  of  Brother  Wolf." 

'I  bleedz  ter  'spute  dat,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus, 
with  the  air  of  one  performing  a  painful  duty;  "I  bleedz 


216  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

ter  'spute  it.  Dat  w'at  de  tale  say.  Ole  Remus  is  one 
nigger  en  de  tale,  hit 's  a  n'er  nigger.  Yit  I  aint  got  no 
time  fer  ter  set  back  yer  en  fetch  out  de  oggyments." 

Here  the  old  man  paused,  closed  his  eyes,  leaned  back 
in  his  chair,  and  sighed.  After  a  while  he  said,  in  a  gentle 
tone: 

"So  den,  Brer  Wolf  done  dead,  en  yer  I  wuz  runnin* 
on  des  same  lak  he  wuz  done  'live.  Well !  well !  well ! " 

Uncle  Remus  stole  a  glance  at  the  little  boy,  and 
immediately  relented. 

"Yit,"  he  went  on,  "ef  I'm  aint  de  tale  en  de  tale 
aint  me,  hit  aint  skacely  make  no  diffunce  whe'er  Brer 
Wolf  dead  er  whe'er  he's  a  high-primin'  'roun'  bodder'n 
'longer  de  yuther  creeturs.  Dead  er  no  dead,  dey  wuz  one 
time  w'en  Brer  Wolf  live  in  de  swamp  down  dar  in  dat 
ar  country  whar  Brer  Jack  come  fum,  en,  mo'n  dat,  he 
had  a  mighty  likely  gal.  Look  lak  all  de  yuther  creeturs 
wuz  atter  'er.  Dey  'ud  go  down  dar  ter  Brer  Wolf  house, 
dey  would,  en  dey  'ud  set  up  en  court  de  gal,  en  'joy 
deyse'f. 

"Hit  went  on  dis  a-way  twel  atter  w'ile  de  skeeters 
'gun  ter  git  monst'us  bad.  Brer  Fox,  he  went  flyin'  'roun' 
Miss  Wolf,  en  he  sot  dar,  he  did,  en  run  on  wid  'er  en 
fight  skeeters  des  es  big  ez  life  en  twice-t  ez  natchul.  Las' 
Brer  Wolf,  he  tuck'n  kotch  Brer  Fox  slappin'  en  fightin' 
at  he  skeeters.  Wid  dat  he  tuck'n  tuck  Brer  Fox  by  de 
off  year  en  led  'im  out  ter  de  front  gate,  en  w'en  he  git 
dar,  he  'low,  he  did,  dat  no  man  w'at  can't  put  up  wid 
skeeters  aint  gwine  ter  come  a-courtin'  his  gal. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MOSQUITOES    217 

"Den  Brer  Coon,  he  come  flyin'  'roun'  de  gal,  but  he 
aint  bin  dar  no  time  skacely  'fo'  he  'gun  ter  knock  at  de 
skeeters ;  en  no  sooner  is  he  done  dis  dan  Brer  Wolf  show 
'im  de  do'.  Brer  Mink,  he  come  en  try  he  han',  yit  he 
bleedz  ter  fight  de  skeeters,  en  Brer  Wolf  ax  'im  out. 

"  Hit  went  on  dis  a- way  twel  bimeby  all  de  creeturs  bin 
flyin'  'roun'  Brer  Wolf's  gal  'ceppin'  it's  ole  Brer  Rabbit, 
en  w'en  he  year  w'at  kinder  treatments  de  yuther  creeturs 
bin  ketchin'  he  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  b'leeve  in  he  soul 
he  mus'  go  down  ter  Brer  Wolf  house  en  set  de  gal  out 
one  whet  ef  it 's  de  las'  ack. 

"  No  sooner  say,  no  sooner  do.  Off  he  put,  en  't  wa'n't 
long  'fo'  he  fine  hisse'f  knockin'  at  Brer  Wolf  front  do'. 
Ole  Sis  WTolf,  she  tuck'n  put  down  'er  knittin'  en  she 
up'n  'low,  she  did: 

"'Who  dat?' 

"  De  gal,  she  'uz  stannin'  up  'fo'  de  lookin'-glass  sorter 
primpin',  en  she  choke  back  a  giggle,  she  did,  en  'low: 

"'Sh-h-h!  My  goodness,  mammy!  dat's  Mr.  Rabbit. 
I  year  de  gals  say  he 's  a  mighty  prop-en-tickler  1  genter- 
mun,  en  I  des  hope  you  aint  gwine  ter  set  dar  en  run  on 
lak  you  mos'  allers  does  w'en  I  got  comp'ny  'bout  how 
much  soap-grease  you  done  save  up  en  how  many  kittens 
de  ole  cat  got.  I  gits  right  'shame'  sometimes,  dat  I 
does!'" 

The  little  boy  looked  astonished. 

"  Did  she  talk  that  way  to  her  mamma  ?  "   he  asked. 

"  Shoo,  chile !    'Mungs'  all  de  creeturs  dey  aint  no  mo* 

1  Proper  and  particular. 


218  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

kuse  creeturs  dan  de  gals.  Ole  ez  I  is,  ef  I  wuz  ter  start 
in  dis  minnit  fer  ter  tell  you  how  kuse  de  gals  is,  en  de 
Lord  wuz  ter  spar'  me  plum  twel  I  git  done,  yo'  head 
'ud  be  gray,  en  Remus  'ud  be  des  twice-t  ez  ole  ez  w'at 
he  is  right  now." 

"  Well,  what  did  her  mamma  say,  Uncle  Remus  ? " 

"Ole  Sis  Wolf,  she  sot  dar,  she  did,  en  settle  'er  cap 
on  'er  head,  en  snicker,  en  look  at  de  gal  lak  she  monst'us 
proud.  De  gal,  she  tuck'n  shuck  'erse'f  'fo'  de  lookin'- 
glass  a  time  er  two,  en  den  she  tipt  ter  de  do'  en  open'  it 
little  ways  en  peep  out  des  lak  she  skeer'd  some  un  gwine 
ter  hit  'er  a  clip  side  de  head.  Dar  stood  ole  Brer  Rabbit 
lookin'  des  ez  slick  ez  a  race-hoss.  De  gal,  she  tuck'n 
laff,  she  did,  en  holler: 

"'W'y  law,  maw!  hit's  Mr.  Rabbit,  en  yer  we  bin 
'fraid  it  'uz  some  'un  w'at  aint  got  no  business  'roun' 
yer!' 

"Ole  Sis  Wolf  she  look  over  'er  specks,  en  snicker, 
en  den  she  up'n  'low: 

"Well,  don't  keep  'im  stannin'  out  dar  all  night.  Ax 
'im  in,  fer  goodness  sake.' 

"Den  de  gal,  she  tuck'n  drap  'er  hankcher,  en  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  dipt  down  en  grab  it  en  pass  it  ter  'er  wid  a 
bow,  en  de  gal  say  she  much  'blige,  'kaze  dat  'uz  mo'  den 
Mr.  Fox  'ud  er  done,  en  den  she  ax  Brer  Rabbit  how  he 
come  on,  en  Brer  Rabbit  'low  he  right  peart,  en  den  he 
ax  'er  wharbouts  'er  daddy,  en  ole  Sis  Wolf  'low  she  go 
fine  'im. 

"  'T  wa'n't  long  'f  o'  Brer  Rabbit  year  Brer  Wolf  stompur 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MOSQUITOES    219 

de  mud  off'n  he  foots  in  de  back  po'ch,  en  den  bimeby  in 
he  come.  Dey  shuck  han's,  dey  did,  en  Brer  Rabbit  say 
dat  w'en  he  go  callin'  on  he  'quaintunce,  hit  aint  feel 
natchul  'ceppin'  de  man  er  de  house  settin'  'roun'  some'rs. 

'  *  Ef  he  don't  talk  none,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  *  he 
kin  des  set  up  ag'in'  de  chimbly-jam  en  keep  time  by 
noddinV 

"But  ole  Brer  Wolf,  he  one  er  deze  yer  kinder  mens 
w'at  got  de  whimzies,1  en  he  up'n  'low  dat  he  don't  let 
hisse'f  git  ter  noddin'  front  er  comp'ny.  Dey  run  on  dis 
a-way  twel  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  year  de  skeeters  come 
zoonin'  'roun',  en  claimin'  kin  wid  'im." 

The  little  boy  laughed  ;  but  Uncle  Remus  was  very 
serious. 

"  Co'se  dey  claim  kin  wid  'im.  Dey  claims  kin  wid 
folks  yit,  let  'lone  Brer  Rabbit.  Manys  en  manys  de 
time  w'en  I  year  um  sailin'  'roun'  en  singin'  out  *  Cousin  ! 
Cousin  ! '  en  I  let  you  know,  honey,  de  skeeters  is  mighty 
close  kin  w'en  dey  gits  ter  be  yo'  cousin. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  year  um  zoonin',"  the  old  man  con 
tinued,  "en  he  know  he  got  ter  do  some  mighty  nice 
talkin',  so  he  up'n  ax  fer  drink  er  water.  De  gal,  she 
tuck'n  fotch  it. 

"'Mighty  nice  water,  Brer  Wolf.'  (De  skeeters  dey 
zoon.)  3 

1  In  these  latter  days  a  man  with  the  whimzies,  or  whimsies,  is  known 
simply  as  a  crank. 

2  The  information  in  parentheses  is  imparted  in  a  low,  impressive,  confi 
dential  tone. 


220  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'Some  say  it  too  full  er  wiggletails,1  Brer  Rabbit.' 
(De  skeeters,  dey  zoon  en  dey  zoon.) 

"'Mighty  nice  place  you  got,  Brer  Wolf.'  (Skeeters 
dey  zoon.) 

'"Some  say  it  too  low  in  de  swamp,  Brer  Rabbit.' 
(Skeeters  dey  zoon  en  dey  zoon.} 

"Dey  zoon  so  bad,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  drawing  a  long 
breath,  "dat  Brer  Rabbit  'gun  ter  git  skeer'd,  en  w'en 
dat  creetur  git  skeer'd,  he  min'  wuk  lak  one  er  deze  yer 
flutter-mills.  Bimeby,  he  'low: 

"'Went  ter  town  t'er  day,  en  dar  I  seed  a  sight  w'at  I 
never  'speckted  ter  see.' 

"'W'at  dat,  Brer  Rabbit?' 

"'Spotted  hoss,  Brer  Wolf.' 

'"No,  Brer  Rabbit!' 

'"-I  mos'  sho'ly  seed  'im,  Brer  Wolf.' 

"Brer  Wolf,  he  scratch  he  head,  en  de  gal  she  hilt  up 
'er  han's  en  make  great  'miration  'bout  de  spotted  hoss. 
(De  skeeters  dey  zoon,  en  dey  keep  on  zoonin.)  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  talk  on,  he  did : 

""Twa'n't  desone  spotted  hoss,  Brer  Wolf,  'twuza 
whole  team  er  spotted  hosses,  en  dey  went  gallin'-up  2  des 
lak  de  yuther  hosses,'  sezee.  'Let  'lone  dat,  Brer  Wolf, 
my  grandaddy  wuz  spotted,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  Gal,  she  squeal  en  holler  out : 

" '  W'y,  Brer  Rabbit !  aint  you  'shame'  yo'se'f  fer  ter  be 
talkin'  dat  a- way,  en  'bout  yo'  own- 'lone  blood  kin  too  ? ' 

1  Is  it  necessary  to  say  that  the  wiggletail  is  the  embryo  mosquito  ? 

2  Galloping. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MOSQUITOES    221 

"'Hit's  de  naked  trufe  I'm  a-ginin'  *  un  you,'  sez  Brer 
Rabbit,  sezee.  (Skeeter  zoon  en  come  closeter.) 

"  Brer  Wolf  'low  '  Well  —  well  —  well ! '  Ole  Sis  Wolf, 
she  'low  'Tooby  sho'ly,  tooby  sho'ly!'  (Skeeter  zoon  en 
come  nigher  en  nigher.)  Brer  Rabbit  'low: 

'  Yasser !  Des  ez  sho'  ez  youer  settin'  dar,  my  gran- 
daddy  wuz  spotted.  Spotted  all  over.  (Skeeter  come 
zoonin1  up  en  light  on  Brer  Rabbit  jaw.)  He  wuz  dat. 
He  had  er  great  big  spot  right  yer ! ' " 

Here  Uncle  Remus  raised  his  hand  and  struck  himself 
a  resounding  slap  on  the  side  of  the  face  where  the  mos 
quito  was  supposed  to  be,  and  continued: 

"  No  sooner  is  he  do  dis  dan  ne'r  skeeter  come  zoonin' 
'roun'  en  light  on  Brer  Rabbit  leg.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  talk, 
en  he  talk: 

"'Po'  ole  grandaddy!  I  boun'  he  make  you  laff,  he 
look  so  funny  wid  all  dem  spots  en  speckles.  He  had 
spot  on  de  side  er  de  head,  whar  I  done  show  you,  en  den 
he  had  n'er  big  spot  right  yer  on  de  leg,'  sezee." 

Uncle  Remus  slapped  himself  on  the  leg  below  the 
knee,  and  was  apparently  so  serious  about  it  that  the 
little  boy  laughed  loudly.  The  old  man  went  on : 

"  Skeeter  zoon  en  light  'twix'  Brer  Rabbit  shoulder- 
blades.  Den  he  talk: 

' '  B'leeve  me  er  not  b'leeve  me  ef  you  min'  to,  but 
my  grandaddy  had  a  big  black  spot  up  yer  on  he  back 
w'ich  look  lak  saddle-mark.' 

"  Blip  Brer  Rabbit  tuck  hisse'f  on  de  back  ! 

1  G  hard  as  in  give. 


222  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Skeeter  sail  'roun'  en  zoon  en  light  down  yer  beyan 
de  hip-bone.  He  say  he  grandaddy  got  spot  down  dar. 

"  Blip  he  tuck  hisse'f  beyan  de  hip-bone. 

"Hit  keep  on  dis  a-way,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  who 
had  given  vigorous  illustrations  of  Brer  Rabbit's  method 
of  killing  mosquitoes  while  pretending  to  tell  a  story, 
"twel  bimeby  ole  Brer  Wolf  en  ole  Sis  Wolf  dey  lissen 
at  Brer  Rabbit  twel  dey  'gun  ter  nod,  en  den  ole  Brer 
Rabbit  en  de  gal  dey  sot  up  dar  en  kill  skeeters  right 
erlong." 

"Did  he  marry  Brother  Wolf's  daughter?"  asked  the 
little  boy. 

"I  year  talk,"  replied  Uncle  Remus,  "dat  Brer  Wolf 
sont  Brer  Rabbit  wud  nex'  day  dat  he  kin  git  de  gal  by 
gwine  atter  *er,  but  I  aint  never  year  talk  'bout  Brer  Rab 
bit  gwine.  De  day  atterwuds  wuz  mighty  long  time,  en 
by  den  Brer  Rabbit  moughter  had  some  yuther  projick 
on  ban'."  l 

1  This  story,  the  funniest  and  most  characteristic  of  all  the  negro  legends, 
cannot  be  satisfactorily  told  on  paper.  It  is  full  of  action,  and  all  the  inter 
est  centres  in  the  gestures  and  grimaces  that  must  accompany  an  explana 
tion  of  Brother  Rabbit's  method  of  disposing1  of  the  mosquitoes.  The 
story  was  first  called  to  my  attention  by  Mr.  Marion  Erwin,  of  Savannah, 
and  it  is  properly  a  coast  legend,  but  I  have  heard  it  told  by  three  Middle 
Georgia  negroes. 


THE  PIMMERLY  PLUM  223 

XXXVIII 
THE  PIMMERLY  PLUM 

OXE  night,  when  the  little  boy  had  grown  tired  of  waiting 
for  a  story,  he  looked  at  Uncle  Remus  and  said: 

"  I  wonder  what  ever  became  of  old  Brother  Tarrypin." 

Uncle  Remus  gave  a  sudden  start,  glanced  all  around 
the  cabin,  and  then  broke  into  a  laugh  that  ended  in  a 
yell  like  a  view-halloo. 

"  Well,  well,  well !  How  de  name  er  goodness  come  you 
ter  know  w'at  runnin'  on  in  my  min',  honey?  Mon,  you 
skeer'd  me;  you  sho'ly  did;  en  w'en  I  git  skeer'd  I  bleedz 
ter  holler.  Let  'lone  dat,  ef  I  keep  on  gittin'  skeerder 
en  skeerder,  you  better  gimme  room,  'kaze  ef  I  can't  git 
'way  fum  dar  somebody  gwine  ter  git  hurted,  en  deyergwine 
ter  git  hurted  bad.  I  tell  you  dat  right  pine-blank.1 

"Ole  Brer  Tarrypin!"  continued  Uncle  Remus  in  a 
tone  of  exultation.  "  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin !  Now,  who  bin 
year  tell  er  de  beat  er  dat?  Dar  you  sets  studyin'  'bout 
ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  yer  I  sets  studyin'  'bout  ole  Brer 
Tarrypin.  Hit  make  me  feel  so  kuse  dat  little  mo'  en  I'd 
'a'  draw'd  my  Rabbit-foot  en  shuck  it  at  you." 

The  little  boy  was  delighted  when  Uncle  Remus  went 
off  into  these  rhapsodies.  However  nonsensical  they 
might  seem  to  others,  to  the  child  they  were  positively 
thrilling,  and  he  listened  with  rapt  attention,  scarcely 
daring  to  stir. 

1  Point-blank. 


NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  ?  Well,  well,  well !  - 

"'Wen  in  he  prime 
He  tuck  he  time  ! 

"  Dat  w'at  make  he  hoi'  he  age  so  good.  Dey  tells  me 
dat  somebody  'cross  dar  in  Jasper  county  tuck'n  kotch 
a  Tarrypin  w'ich  he  got  marks  cut  in  he  back  dat  'uz  put 
dar  'fo'  our  folks  went  fer  ter  git  revengeance  in  de  Mocca 
sin  war.  Dar  whar  yo'  Unk'  Jeems  bin,"  Uncle  Remus 
explained,  noticing  the  little  boy's  look  of  astonishment. 

"  Oh ! "  exclaimed  the  child, "  that  was  the  Mexican  war." 

"Well,"  responded  Uncle  Remus,  closing  his  eyes  with 
a  sigh,  "  I  aint  one  er  deze  yer  kinder  folks  w'at  choke 
deyse'f  wid  names.  One  name  aint  got  none  de  'vantage 
er  no  yuther  name.  En  ef  de  Tarrypin  got  de  marks  on 
'im,  hit  don't  make  no  diffunce  whe'er  yo'  Unk'  Jeems 
Abercrombie  git  his  revengeance  out'n  de  Moccasin  folks, 
er  whe'er  he  got  it  out'n  de  Mackersons." 

"Mexicans,  Uncle  Remus." 

"Tooby  sho',  honey;  let  it  go  at  dat.  But  don't  less 
pester  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  wid  it,  'kaze  he  done  b'long  ter 
a  tribe  all  by  he  own  'lone  se'f.  —  I  'clar'  ter  gracious," 
exclaimed  the  old  man  after  a  pause,  "ef  hit  don't  seem 
periently  lak  't  wuz  yistiddy ! " 

"  What,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 

"  Oh,  des  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  honey  ;  des  ole  Brer 
Tarrypin  en  a  tale  w'at  I  year  'bout  'im,  how  he  done 
tuck'n  do  Brer  Fox." 

"  Did  he  scare  him,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  the  little  boy 
asked,  as  the  old  man  paused. 


THE  PIMMERLY  PLUM  225 

"  No,  my  goodness !  Wuss'n  dat ! " 

"Did  he  hurt  him?" 

"  No,  my  goodness !   Wuss'n  dat ! " 

"Did  he  kill  him?" 

"  No,  my  goodness !   Lots  wuss'n  dat ! " 

"  Now,  Uncle  Remus,  what  did  he  do  to  Brother  Fox  ?  " 

"  Honey ! "  —  here  the  old  man  lowered  his  voice  as  if 
about  to  describe  a  great  outrage  —  "  Honey !  he  tuck'n 
make  a  fool  out'n  'im ! " 

The  child  laughed,  but  it  was  plain  that  he  failed  to 
appreciate  the  situation,  and  this  fact  caused  Uncle  Remus 
to  brighten  up  and  go  on  with  the  story. 

"  One  time  w'en  de  sun  shine  down  mighty  hot,  ole 
Brer  Tarrypin  wuz  gwine  'long  down  de  road.  He  'uz 
gwine  'long  down,  en  he  feel  mighty  tired;  he  puff,  en  he 
blow,  en  he  pant.  He  breff  come  lak  he  got  de  azmy  'way 
down  in  he  win'-pipe  ;  but,  nummine!  he  de  same  ole 
Creep-um-crawl-um  Have-some-fun-um.  He  'uz  gwine 
'long  down  de  big  road,  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  wuz,  en  bimeby 
he  come  ter  de  branch.  He  tuck'n  crawl  in,  he  did,  en  got 
'im  a  drink  er  water,  en  den  he  crawl  out  on  t'er  side  en 
set  down  und'  de  shade  un  a  tree.  Atter  he  sorter  ketch 

» 

he  win',  he  look  up  at  de  sun  fer  ter  see  w'at  time  er  day 
is  it,  en,  lo  en  beholes !  he  tuck'n  skivver  dat  he  settin'  in 
de  shade  er  de  sycamo'  tree.  No  sooner  is  he  skivver  dis 
dan  he  sing  de  ole  song: 

"  *  Good  luck  ter  dem  w  'at  come  and  go, 
Wat  set  in  de  shade  er  de  sycamo\ ' 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  he  feel  so  good  en  de  shade  so  cool,  dat 


226  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

'twa'n't  long  'fo'  he  got  ter  noddin',  en  bimeby  he  drapt 
off  en  went  soun'  asleep.  Co'se,  Brer  Tarrypin  kyar  he 
house  wid  'im  eve'ywhar  he  go,  en  w'en  he  fix  fer  ter  go 
ter  sleep,  he  des  shet  de  do'  en  pull  to  de  winder-shetters, 
en  dar  he  is  des  ez  snug  ez  de  ole  black  cat  und'  de  barn. 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  lay  dar,  he  did,  en  sleep,  en  sleep.  He 
dunner  how  long  he  sleep,  but  bimeby  he  feel  somebody 
foolin'  'long  wid  'im.  He  keep  de  do'  shet,  en  he  lay  dar 
en  lissen.  He  feel  somebody  tu'nin'  he  house  'roun'  en 
'roun'.  Dis  sorter  skeer  Brer  Tarrypin,  'kaze  he  know 
dat  ef  dey  tu'n  he  house  upside  down  he  ull  have  all 
sorts  er  times  gittin'  back.  Wid  dat,  he  open  de  do'  little 
ways,  en  he  see  Brer  Fox  projickin'  wid  'im.  He  open  de 
do'  little  furder,  he  did,  en  he  break  out  in  a  great  big 
hoss-laff,  en  holler: 

"  *  Well !  well,  well !  Who  'd  'a'  thunk  it !  Ole  Brer  Fox, 
cuter  dan  de  common  run,  is  done  come  en  kotch  me. 
En  he  come  at  sech  a  time,  too !  I  feels  dat  full  twel  I  can't 
see  straight  skacely.  Ef  dey  wuz  any  jealousness  proned 
inter  me,  I  'd  des  lay  yer  en  pout  'kaze  Brer  Fox  done  fine 
out  whar  I  gits  my  Pimmerly  Plum.' 

"In  dem  days,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  speaking  to 
the  child's"  look  of  inquiry,  "de  Pimmerly  Plum  wuz 
monst'us  skace.  Leavin'  out  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarry- 
pin  dey  wa'n't  none  er  de  yuther  creeturs  dat  yuwer  got  2 
glimp'  un  it,  let  'lone  a  tas'e.  So  den  w'en  Brer  Fox  year 
talk  er  de  Pimmerly  Plum,  bless  gracious !  he  h'ist  up  he 
head  en  let  Brer  Tarrypin  'lone.  Brer  Tarrypin  keep  on 
laffin'  en  Brer  Fox  'low: 


THE  PIMMERLY  PLUM  227 

"Hush,  Brer  Tarrypin!  you  makes  my  mouf  water! 
Whar'bouts  de  Pimmerly  Plum  ? ' 

"Brer  Tarrypin,  he  sorter  cle'r  up  de  ho'seness  in  he 
th'oat,  en  sing: 

"  *  Pouri1  er  sugar,  en  a  pint  er  rum, 
Aint  nigh  so  sweet  ez  de  Pimmerly  Plum ! ' 

"Brer  Fox,  he  lif  up  he  han's,  he  did,  en  holler: 

"Oh,  hush,  Brer  Tarrypin!  you  makes  me  dribble! 
Whar'bouts  dat  Pimmerly  Plum  ? ' 

'  You  stannin'  right  und'  de  tree,  Brer  Fox ! ' 

"'Brer  Tarrypin,  sho'ly  not!' 

"*Yit  dar  you  stan's,  Brer  Fox!' 

"Brer  Fox  look  up  in  de  tree  dar,  en  he  wuz  'stonish'." 

"  What  did  he  see  in  the  sycamore  tree,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 
inquired  the  little  boy. 

There  was  a  look  of  genuine  disappointment  on  the  old 
man's  face,  as  he  replied: 

"De  gracious  en  de  goodness,  honey!  Aint  you  nev' 
is  see  dem  ar  little  bit  er  balls  w'at  grow  on  de  sycamo' 
tree?"1 

The  little  boy  laughed.  There  was  a  huge  sycamore 
tree  in  the  centre  of  the  circle  made  by  the  carriage  way 
in  front  of  the  "big  house,"  and  there  were  sycamore 
trees  of  various  sizes  all  over  the  place.  The  little  balls 
alluded  to  by  Uncle  Remus  are  very  hard  at  certain  stages 
of  their  growth,  and  cling  to  the  tree  with  wonderful 
tenacity.  Uncle  Remus  continued: 

?  In  another  version  of  this  story  current  among  the  negroes  the  sweet- 
gum  tree  takes  the  place  of  the  sycamore. 


228  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Well,  den,  w'en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  vouch  dat  dem  ar 
sycamo'  balls  wuz  de  ginnywine  Pimmerly  Plum,  ole  Brer 
Fox,  he  feel  mighty  good,  yit  he  dunner  how  he  gwine  git 
at  um.  Push  'im  clos't,  en  maybe  he  mought  beat  Brer 
Tarrypin  clammin'  a  tree,  but  dish  yer  sycamo'  tree  wuz 
too  big  fer  Brer  Fox  fer  ter  git  he  arms  'roun'.  Den  he 
up'n  'low: 

"I  sees  um  hangin'  dar,  Brer  Tarrypin,  but  how  I 
gwine  git  um  ? ' 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  open  he  do'  little  ways  en  holler  out : 

"'Ah-yi!  Dar  whar  ole  Slickum  Slow-come  got  de 
'vantage!  Youer  mighty  peart,  Brer  Fox,  yit  somehow 
er  nudder  you  aint  bin  a-keepin'  up  wid  ole  Slickum 
Slow-come.' 

"Brer  Tarrypin,  how  de  name  er  goodness  does  you 
git  um  ? ' 

" '  Don't  do  no  good  fer  ter  tell  you,  Brer  Fox.  Nimble 
heel  make  restless  min'.  You  aint  got  time  fer  ter  wait 
en  git  um,  Brer  Fox.' 

"'Brer  Tarrypin,  I  got  all  de  week  befo'  me.' 

"'Ef  I  tells  you,  you'll  go  en  tell  all  de  t'er  creeturs, 
en  den  dat '11  be  de  las'  er  de  Pimmerly  Plum,  Brer  Fox.' 

"'Brer  Tarrypin,  dat  I  won't.  Des  try  me  one  time 
en  see.' 

"Brer  Tarrypin  shet  he  eye  lak  he  studyin',  en  den  he 
'low: 

" '  I  tell  you  how  I  does,  Brer  Fox.  W'en  I  wants  a  bait 
er  de  Pimmerly  Plum  right  bad,  I  des  takes  my  foot  in 
my  han'  en  comes  down  yer  ter  dish  yer  tree.  I  comes 


THE  PIMMERLY  PLUM  229 

en  I  takes  my  stan'.  I  gits  right  und'  de  tree,  en  I  r'ars 
my  head  back  en  opens  my  mouf.  I  opens  my  mouf,  en 
w'en  de  Pimmerly  Plum  draps,  I  boun'  you  she  draps 
right  spang  in  dar.  All  you  got  ter  do  is  ter  set  en  wait, 
Brer  Fox.' 

"Brer  Fox  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  He  des  sot  down  und' 
de  tree,  he  did,  en  r'ar'd  he  head  back,  en  open  he  mouf, 
en  I  wish  ter  goodness  you  mought  er  bin  had  er  chance 
fer  ter  see  'im  settin'  dar.  He  look  scan'lous,  dat's  de 
long  en  de  short  un  it;  he  des  look  scan'lous." 

"  Did  he  get  the  Pimmerly  Plum,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  asked 
the  little  boy. 

"  Shoo  !  How  he  gwine  git  plum  whar  dey  aint  no 
plum  ? " 

"Well,  what  did  he  do?" 

"  He  sot  dar  wid  he  mouf  wide  open,  en  eve'y  time 
Brer  Tarrypin  look  at  'im,  much  ez  he  kin  do  fer  ter  keep 
from  bustin'  aloose  en  laffin'.  But  bimeby  he  make  he 
way  todes  home,  Brer  Tarrypin  did,  chucklin'  en  laffin', 
en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  meet  Brer  Rabbit  tippin'  'long 
down  de  road.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  hail  'im. 

" '  Wat  'muze  you  so  mighty  well,  Brer  Tarrypin  ? ' 

"Brer  Tarrypin  kotch  he  breff  atter  so  long  a  time, 
en  he  'low: 

"'Brer  Rabbit,  I'm  dat  tickle'  twel  I  can't  shuffle  'long, 
skacely,  en  I'm  fear'd  ef  I  up'n  tell  you  de  'casion  un  it, 
I'll  be  tooken  wid  one  er  my  spells  whar  folks  hatter  set 
up  wid  me  'kaze  I  laff  so  loud  en  laff  so  long.' 

"  Yit  atter  so  long  a  time,  Brer  Tarrypin  up'n  tell  Brer 


230  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Rabbit,  en  dey  sot  dar  en  chaw'd  terbacker  en  kyar'd  on 
des  lak  sho'  'miff  folks.  Dat  dey  did!" 

Uncle  Remus  paused ;  but  the  little  boy  wanted  to  know 
what  became  of  Brer  Fox. 

"  Hit 's  mighty  kuse,"  said  the  old  man,  stirring  around 
in  the  ashes  as  if  in  search  of  a  potato,  "  but  endurin'  er 
all  my  days  I  aint  nev'  year  nobody  tell  'bout  how  long 
Brer  Fox  sot  dar  waitin'  fer  de  Pirnmerly  Plum." 


XXXIX 
BROTHER  RABBIT  GETS  THE  PROVISIONS 

THE  next  time  the  little  boy  called  on  Uncle  Remus  a 
bright  fire  was  blazing  on  the  hearth.  He  could  see  the 
light  shining  under  the  door  before  he  went  into  the  cabin, 
and  he  knew  by  that  sign  that  the  old  man  had  company. 
In  fact,  Daddy  Jack  had  returned,  and  was  dozing  in  his 
accustomed  corner,  Aunt  Tempy  was  sitting  bolt  upright, 
nursing  her  contempt,  and  Uncle  Remus  was  making  a 
curious-looking  box.  None  of  the  negroes  paid  any  at 
tention  to  the  little  boy  when  he  entered,  but  somehow 
he  felt  that  they  were  waiting  for  him.  After  a  while 
Uncle  Remus  finished  his  curious-looking  box  and  laid  it 
upon  the  floor.  Then  he  lifted  his  spectacles  from  his 
nose  to  the  top  of  his  head,  and  remarked : 

"  Now,  den,  folks,  dar  she  is,  en  hit 's  bin  so  long  sence 
I  uv  made  one  un  um  dat  she  make  me  sweat.  Yasser! 
She  did  dat.  Howsumev',  hit  aint  make  no  diffunce  wid 


BROTHER  RABBIT  GETS  PROVISIONS    231 

me.  Promise  is  a  promise,  dough  you  make  it  in  de  dark 
er  de  moon.  Long  time  ago,  I  tuck'n  promise  one  er  my 
passin'  'quaintance  dat  some  er  deze  lonesome  days  de  ole 
nigger  'd  whirl  in  en  make  'im  a  rabbit-trap  ef  he'd  des  be 
so  good  ez  to  quit  he  devilment,  en  Tarn  he  behavishness." 

"  Is  that  my  rabbit-trap,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  exclaimed  the 
child.  He  would  have  picked  it  up  for  the  purpose  of 
examining  it,  but  Uncle  Remus  waved  him  off  with  a 
dignified  gesture. 

"  Don't  you  dast  ter  tetch  dat  ar  trap,  honey,  'kaze  ef 
you  does,  dat  spiles  all.  I'll  des  hatter  go  ter  wuk  en 
make  it  bran-new,  en  de  Lord  knows  I  aint  got  no  time 
fer  ter  do  dat." 

"  Well,  Uncle  Remus,  you  've  had  your  hands  on  it." 

"  Tooby  sho'  I  is  —  tooby  sho'  I  is !  En  w'at  's  mo'  dan 
dat,  I  bin  had  my  han's  in  tar-water." 

"I  year  talk  er  dat,"  remarked  Aunt  Tempy,  with  an 
approving  nod. 

"Yasser!  in  de  nat'al  tar-water,"  continued  Uncle 
Remus.  "You  put  yo'  han'  in  a  pa'tridge  nes',  en  he'll 
quit  dem  premises  dough  he  done  got  'lev'm  dozen  aigs  in 
dar.  Same  wid  Rabbit.  Dey  aint  got  sense  lak  de  ole- 
time  Rabbit,  but  I  let  you  know  dey  aint  gwine  in  no 
trap  whar  dey  smell  folks'  han's  —  dat  dey  aint.  Dat 
w'at  make  I  say  w'at  I  does.  Don't  put  yo'  han'  on  it; 
don't  tetch  it;  don't  look  at  it  skacely." 

The  little  boy  subsided,  but  he  continued  to  cast  long 
ing  looks  at  the  trap,  seeing  which  Uncle  Remus  sought 
to  change  the  current  of  his  thoughts. 


232  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  She  bin  er  mighty  heap  er  trouble,  mon,  yet  I  mighty 
glad  I  tuck'n  make  dat  ar  trap.  She 's  a  solid  un,  sho',  en 
ef  dey  wuz  ter  be  any  skaceness  er  vittles,  I  lay  dat  ar  trap 
'ud  help  us  all  out." 

"  De  Lord  knows,"  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy,  rubbing  her 
fat  hands  together,  "  I  hope  dey  aint  gwine  ter  be  no 
famishin'  'roun'  yer  'mungs  we  all." 

"  Likely  not,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "  yet  de  time  mought 
come  w'en  a  big  swamp  rabbit  kotch  in  dat  ar  trap  would 
go  a  mighty  long  ways  in  a  fambly  no  bigger  dan  w'at 
mine  is." 

"  Mo'  speshually,"  remarked  Aunt  Tempy,  "  ef  you  put 
dat  wid  w'at  de  neighbors  mought  sen'  in." 

"  Eh-eh ! "  Uncle  Remus  exclaimed,  "  don't  you  put  no 
'pennunce  in  dem  neighbors  —  don't  you  do  it.  W'en 
famine  time  come  one  man  aint  no  better  dan  no  yuther 
man  'ceppin'  he  be  soopless  ;  en  he  got  ter  be  mighty 
soople  at  dat." 

The  old  man  paused  and  glanced  at  the  little  boy. 
The  child  was  still  looking  longingly  at  the  trap,  and 
Uncle  Remus  leaned  forward  and  touched  him  lightly  on 
the  shoulder.  It  was  a  familiar  gesture,  gentle  and  yet 
rough,  a  token  of  affection,  and  yet  a  command  to  atten 
tion  ;  for  the  venerable  darkey  could  be  imperious  enough 
when  surrendering  to  the  whims  of  his  little  partner. 

"All  dish  yer  talk  'bout  folks  pe'shin'  out,"  Uncle 
Remus  went  on  with  an  indifferent  air,  "  put  me  in  min'  er 
de  times  w'en  de  creeturs  tuck'n  got  up  a  famine  'mungs 
deyse'f.  Hit  come  'bout  dat  one  time  vittles  wuz  monst'us 


BROTHER  RABBIT  GETS  PROVISIONS    233 

skace  en  high,  en  money  mighty  slack.  Long  ez  dey  wuz 
any  vittles  gwine  'roun',  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'uz  boun'  ter  git 
he  sheer  un  um,  but  bimeby  hit  come  ter  dat  pass  dat  Brer 
Rabbit  stomach  'gun  ter  pinch  'im  ;  en  w'iles  he  gettin' 
hongry  de  yuther  creeturs,  dey  'uz  gettin'  hongry  deyse'f. 
Hit  went  on  dis  a-way  twel  one  day  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer 
Wolf  meet  up  wid  one  er  n'er  in  de  big  road,  en  atter  dey 
holler  howdy  dey  sat  down,  dey  did,  en  make  a  bargain. 

"Dey  tuck'n  'gree  wid  one  er  n'er  dat  dey  sell  der 
mammy  en  take  de  money  en  git  sump'n'  n'er  ter  eat. 
Brer  Wolf,  he  'low,  he  did,  dat  bein'  's  hit  seem  lak  he  de 
hongriest  creetur  on  de  face  er  de  yeth,  dat  he  sell  his 
mammy  fus',  en  den,  atter  de  vittles  gin  out,  Brer  Rabbit 
he  kin  sell  he  own  mammy  en  git  some  mo'  grub. 

"  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  chipt  in  en  'greed,  he  did,  en  Brer 
Wolf,  he  tuck'n  hitch  up  he  team,  en  put  he  mammy  in 
de  waggin,  en  den  him  en  Brer  Rabbit  druv  off.  Man 
come  'long: 

"  *  Whar  you  gwine  ? ' 

"  *  Gwine  'long  down  ter  town, 
Wid  a  bag  er  co'n  fer  ter  sell ; 
We  aint  got  time  fer  ter  stop  en  talk, 
Yit  we  wish  you  mighty  well ! ' 

"Did  they  talk  poetry  that  way,  Uncle  Remus?"  the 
little  boy  inquired. 

"  Shoo !  lot 's  wuss  dan  dat,  honey.  Dey  wuz  constant 
a-gwine  on  dat  a-way,  en  ef  I  wa'n't  gittin'  so  mighty  weak- 
kneed  in  de  membunce  I'd  bust  aloose  yer  en  I'd  fair 
wake  you  up  wid  de  gwines  on  er  dem  ar  creeturs. 


234  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Now,  den,  dey  tuck'n  kyar  Brer  Wolf  mammy  ter 
town  en  sell  'er,  en  dey  start  back  wid  a  waggin-load  er 
vittles.  De  day  wuz  a-wanin'  en  de  sun  wuz  a-settin'. 
De  win'  tuck'n  blow  up  sorter  stiff,  en  de  sun  look  red 
when  she  settin'.  Dey  druv  on,  en  druv  on.  De  win' 
blow,  en  de  sun  shine  red.  Bimeby,  Brer  Wolf  scrooch  up 
en  shiver,  en  'low: 

'"Brer  Rabbit,  I'm  a-gittin'  mighty  cole.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  laugh  en  'low : 

"I  'm  gittin'  sorter  creepy  myself,  Brer  Wolf.' 

"  Dey  druv  on  en  druv  on.  Win'  blow  keen,  sun  shine 
red.  Brer  Wolf  scrooch  up  in  little  knot.  Bimeby  he 
sing  out: 

"'Brer  Rabbit,  I'm  freezin'!  I'm  dat  cole  I  dunner 
w'at  ter  do ! ' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  p'int  ter  de  settin'  sun  en  say : 

'You  see  dat  great  big  fier  'cross  dar  in  de  woods, 
Brer  Wolf  ?  Well,  dey  aint  nothin'  ter  hender  you  fuin 
gwine  dar  en  wommin'  yo'se'f  en  I'll  wait  yer  fer  you. 
Gimme  de  lines,  Brer  Wolf,  en  you  go  worn  yo'se'f  all 
over.' 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  Wolf,  he  put  out  des  ez  hard  ez  he  kin, 
fer  ter  see  ef  he  can't  fin'  de  fier  ;  en  w'iles  he  wuz  gone, 
bless  goodness,  w'at  should  Brer  Rabbit  do  but  cut  off  de 
bosses'  tails  en  stick  um  down  deep  in  de  mud  — 

"  Le'  'im  'lone,  now !  Des  le'  'im  'lone  !  "  exclaimed 
Aunt  Tempy  in  an  ecstasy  of  admiration. 

"  He  stick  de  bosses'  tails  down  in  de  mud,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  "  en  den  he  tuck'n  druv  de  waggin  'way  off 


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X 


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BROTHER  RABBIT  GETS  PROVISIONS     235 

in  de  swamp  en  hide  it.  Den  he  tuck'n  come  back,  ole 
Brer  Rabbit  did,  fer  ter  wait  fer  Brer  Wolf. 

"Atter  so  long  a  time,  sho'  'miff,  yer  come  Brer  Wolf 
des  a-gallin'-up  back.  Brer  Rabbit  he  hail  'im. 

' '  Is  you  worn  yo'se'f ,  Brer  Wolf  ? ' 

'"Brer  Rabbit,  don't  talk!  Dat  de  mos'  'seetful  fier 
w'at  I  had  any  speunce  im.  I  run,  en  I  run,  en  I  run,  en 
de  mo'  w'at  I  run  de  furder  de  fier  git.  De  nigher  you 
come  ter  dat  fier  de  furder  hit's  off.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  scratch  hisse'f  behime  de  shoul 
der-blade,  en  'low: 

"Nummine  'bout  de  fier,  Brer  W'olf.  I  got  sump'n' 
yer  dat  '11  worn  you  up.  Ef  you  aint  nev'  bin  worn  befo',  I 
lay  you  '11  get  worn  dis  time.' 

"  Dis  make  Brer  Wolf  sorter  look  'roun',  en  w'en  he  see 
Brer  Rabbit  hol'in'  on  ter  de  two  hoss-tails,  he  up'n  squall 
out,  he  did: 

"'Lawdy  mussy,  Brer  Rabbit!  Whar  my  vittles? 
Whar  my  waggin  ?  WThar  my  bosses  ? ' 

' '  Dey  er  all  right  yer,  Brer  Wolf;  dey  er  all  right  yer.  I 
stayed  dar  whar  you  lef  me  twel  de  hosses  gun  ter  git 
restless.  Den  I  cluck  at  um,  en,  bless  gracious,  dey  start 
off  en  Ian'  in  a  quicksan'.  W'en  dey  gun  ter  mire,  I  des 
tuck'n  tu'n  eve'y  thing  a-loose  en  grab  de  hosses  by  de  tail, 
en  I  bin  stan'in'  yer  wishin'  fer  you,  Brer  Wolf,  twel  I 
done  gone  gray  in  de  min'.  I  'low  ter  myse'f  dat  I  'd  hang 
on  ter  deze  yer  hoss-tails  ef  it  killt  eve'y  cow  in  de  islan'. 
Come  he'p  me,  Brer  Wolf,  en  I  lay  we  '11  des  nat'ally  pull 
de  groun'  out  but  w'at  we'll  git  deze  creeturs  out.' 


236  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Wid  dat,  Brer  Wolf,  he  kotch  holt  er  one  hoss-tail, 
en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  kotch  holt  er  de  yuther,  en  w'en  dey 
pull,  co'se  de  tails  come  out'n  de  mud.  Dey  stood  dar, 
dey  did,  en  dey  look  at  de  tails  en  den  dey  look  at  one 
n'er.  Bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  'low  : 

"'Well,  sir,  Brer  Wolf;  we  pull  so  hard  twel  we  pull 
de  tails  plum  out ! ' 

"  Ole  Brer  Wolf,  he  dunner  w'at  ter  do,  but  it  'gun  ter 
git  dark,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  tell  Brer  Rabbit  good-by, 
en  off  he  put  fer  home.  Dat  ar  Brer  Rabbit,"  Uncle  Re 
mus  went  on,  "  he  des  tuck'n  wait  twel  Brer  Wolf  git  out'n 
yearin',  en  den  he  went  into  de  swamp  en  druv  de  hosses 
home  en  git  all  de  vittles,  en  he  aint  hatter  sell  he  ole 
mammy  n'er.  Dat  he  aint." 


XL 
"CUTTA  CORD-LA!" 

To  all  appearances  Daddy  Jack  had  taken  no  interest 
in  Uncle  Remus's  story  of  the  horses'  tails,  and  yet,  as 
soon  as  the  little  boy  and  Aunt  Tempy  were  through 
laughing  at  a  somewhat  familiar  climax,  the  old  African 
began  to  twist  and  fidget  in  his  chair,  and  mumble  to 
himself  in  a  lingo  which  might  have  been  understood  on 
the  Guinea  coast,  but  which  sounded  out  of  place  in 
Uncle  Remus's  Middle  Georgia  cabin.  Presently,  how 
ever,  his  uneasiness  took  tangible  shape.  He  turned  around 
and  exclaimed  impatiently: 


"CUTTA  CORD-LA!"  237 

"  Shuh-shuh !  w'en  you  sta't  fer  tell-a  dem  tale,  wey  you 
no  tell  um  lak  dey  stan'  ?  'E  bery  bad  fer  twis'  dem  tale 
'roun'  un  'roun'.  Wey  you  no  talk  um  stret?" 

"Well,  Brer  Jack,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  smiling  good- 
humoredly  upon  the  queer  little  old  man,  "  ef  we  done 
gone  en  got  dat  ar  tale  all  twis'  up,  de  way  fer  you  ter  do 
is  ter  whirl  in  en  ontwis'  it,  en  we-all  folks  '11  set  up  yer 
en  he'p  you  out  plum  twel  Mars  John  comes  a-hollerin* 
en  a-bawlin'  atter  dish  yer  baby ;  en  atter  he  done  gone  ter 
bed,  den  me  en  Sis  Tempy  yer  we  ull  set  up  wid  you  plum 
twel  de  chickens  crow  fer  day.  Dem 's  de  kinder  folk  we 
all  is  up  yer.  We  aint  got  many  swimps  en  crabs  up  yer 
in  Putmon  county,  but  w'en  it  come  ter  settin'  up  wid 
comp'ny  en  hangin'  'roun'  atter  dark  fer  ter  make  de  time 
pass  away,  we  er  mighty  rank.  Now  den,  Brer  Jack,  I 
done  call  de  roll  wid  my  eye,  en  we  er  all  yer  'ceppin'  dat 
ar  'Tildy  gal,  en  't  won't  be  long  'fo'  she  '11  be  a-drappin' 
in.  Run  over  in  yo'  min',  en  whar  my  tale  'uz  wrong,  des 
whirl  in  en  put  'er  ter  rights." 

"  Shuh-shuh ! "  exclaimed  the  old  African,  "  Oona  no  git 
dem  tale  stret.  I  yed  dem  wey  me  lif ;  'e  soun'  lak  dis: 
One  tarn  dem  bittle  bin  git  bery  skace.  Da  rice  crop  mek 
nuttin ;  da  fish  swim  low ;  da  bud  fly  high.  Hard  times 
bin  come  dey-dey.  'E  so  hard,  dem  creeturs  do  git  hon- 
kry  fer  true.  B'er  Rabbit  un  B'er  Wolf  dey  come  pit  bote 
'e  head  tergerrer;  dey  is  mek  talk  how  honkry  dey  is  'way 
down  in  da  belly. 

"Bumbye,  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  shed  'e  y-eye,  'e  say  dey 
mus'  kill  dey  gran'mammy.  B'er  Wolf  say  'e  mek  'e  y-eye 


238  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

come  wat'ry  fer  yeddy  da  talk  lak  dat.  B'er  Rabbit 
say: 

"'Ki,  B'er  Wolf!  da  water  come  in  you'  y-eye  wun  you 
is  bin  honkry.  Me  y-eye  done  bin-a  come  wat'ry  so  long 
tarn  befo'  I  bin  talky  wit'  you  'bout  we  gran'mammy.' 

"B'er  WTolf,  'e  der  keep  on  cryin';  'e  wipe  'e  y-eye  'pon 
'e  coat-sleef.  B'er  Rabbit,  5e  bin  say: 

"'Ef  you  is  bin  tek  it  so  ha'd  lak  dis,  B'er  WTolf,  'e 
bery  good  fer  kill-a  you'  gran'mammy  fus',  so  you  is  kin 
come  glad  ag'in/ 

"  B'er  Wolf,  'e  go  dry  'e  y-eye  un  kill  'e  gran'mammy, 
un  dey  is  bin  tek  'im  gran'mammy  off  un  sell  um  fer 
bittle.  Dun  dey  is  bin  eat  dis  bittle  day  un  night  tell  'e 
all  done  gone.  Wun-a  tarn  come  fer  B'er  Rabbit  fer  kill 
'e  gran'mammy,  B'er  Wolf,  'e  go  bisitin'  'im.  'E  say: 

"B'er  Rabbit,  I  is  bin-a  feel  honkry  troo  un  troo. 
Less  we  kill-a  you'  gran'mammy.' 

"B'er  Rabbit  lif  up  'e  head  high;  'e  lahff.  'E  shekky 
one  year,  'e  shed-a  one  eye.  'E  say: 

"'Eh-eh,  B'er  Wolf,  you  t'ink  I  gwan  kill-a  me  gran' 
mammy  ?  Oh,  no,  B'er  Wolf!  Me  no  kin  do  dat.' 

"Dis  mek  B'er  Wolf  wuss  mad  den  'e  is  bin  befo'.  'E 
fair  teer  de  yet'  wit'  'e  claw;  'e  yowl  sem  lak  Injun  mans. 
'E  say  'e  gwan  make  B'er  Rabbit  kill  'e  gran'mammy 
nohow. 

"B'er  Rabbit  say  'e  gwan  see  'im  'bout  dis.  'E  tek  'e 
gran'mammy  by  da  han' ;  'e  lead  um  way  off  in  da  woods ; 
'e  hide  um  in  da  top  one  big  cocoanut  tree ;  'e  tell  um  fer 
stay  deer." 


"CUTTA  CORD-LA!"  239 

The  mention  of  a  cocoanut  tree  caused  the  little  boy  to 
glance  incredulously  at  Uncle  Remus,  who  made  prompt 
and  characteristic  reply: 

"  Dat  's  it,  honey;  dat  's  it,  sho'.  In  dem  days  en  in  dem 
countries  dey  wuz  plenty  er  cocoanut  trees.  Less  we  all 
set  back  yer  en  give  Brer  Jack  a  livin'  chance." 

"  'E  hide  'e  gran'mammy  in  top  cocoanut  tree,"  con 
tinued  Daddy  Jack,  "  un  'e  gi'  um  lilly  bahskit  wit'  cord 
tie  on  um.  In  de  day-mawnin',  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is  bin  go 
at  da  foot  da  tree.  'E  make  'e  v'ice  fine;  'e  holler: 

' '  Granny  !  —  Granny  !  —  O  Granny  !  Jutta  cord-la  /' 

"  Wun  'e  granny  yeddy  dis,  'e  let  bahskit  down  wit'  da 
cord,  un  B'er  Rabbit  'e  fill  um  wit'  bittle  un  somet'ing 
t'eat.  Ebry  day  dey  is  bin-a  do  dis  t'ing;  ebry  day  B'er 
Rabbit  is  come  fer  feed  'e  granny. 

"  B'er  Wolf  'e  watch,  'e  lissun  ;  'e  sneak  up,  'e  creep 
up,  'e  do  lissun.  Bumbye,  'e  do  yeddy  B'er  Rabbit  call; 
'e  see  da  bahskit  swing  down,  'e  see  um  go  back.  Wun 
B'er  Rabbit  bin-a  go  'way  fum  dey-dey,  B'er  Wolf,  'e 
come  by  da  root  da  tree.  'E  holler;  'e  do  say: 

Granny  !  —  Granny  I  —  O    Granny  I      Shoot-a   cord- 
la!' 

"Da  ole  Granny  Rabbit  lissun;  'e  bin  lissun  well.  'E 
say : 

"  Ki !  how  come  dis  ?  Me  son  is  no  talky  lak  dis.  'E 
no  shoot-a  da  cord  lak  dat.' 

"Wen  B'er  Rabbit  comeback  da  granny  is  bin-a  tell 
um  'bout  somet'ing  come-a  holler  shoot-a  da  cord-la,  un 
B'er  Rabbit,  'e  lahff  tel  'e  is  kin  lahff  no  mo'.  B'er  Wolf, 


240  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

'e  hidin'  close  ;  'e  yed  B'er  Rabbit  crackin'  'e  joke  ;  'e 
is  git  bery  mad. 

"  Wun  B'er  Rabbit  is  gone  'way,  B'er  Wolf  bin-a  come 
back.  'E  stan'  by  da  tree  root;  'e  holler: 

'  *  Granny  !  —  Granny  !  —  O  Granny  !  Jutta  cord-la  I ' 

"Granny  Rabbit  hoi'  'e  head  'pon  one  side;  'e  lissun 
good.  'E  say. 

"'  I  bery  sorry,  me  son,  you  bin  hab  so  bad  col'.  You' 
v'ice  bin-a  soun'  rough,  me  son.' 

"  Dun  Granny  Rabbit  is  bin  peep  down ;  'e  bin  say : 

"'Hi!  B'er  Wolf!  Go  'way  fum  dey-dey.  You  no  is 
bin  fool-a  me  lak  dis.  Go  'way,  B'er  Wolf!' 

"B'er  Wolf,  'e  come  bery  mad;  'e  grin  tell  'e  tush  bin 
shiiin.  'Ego  in  da  swamp;  'e  scratch 'e  head;  'e  t'ink. 
Bumbye,  'e  go  bisitin'  one  Blacksmit',  un  'e  ahx  'im  how 
kin  'e  do  fer  make  'e  v'ce  come  fine  lak  B'er  Rabbit  v'ice. 
Da  Blacksmit',  'e  say: 

" '  Come,  B'er  Wolf  ;  I  run  dis  red-hot  poker  in  you' 
t'roat,  'e  mekky  you  talk  easy/ 

"B'er  Wolf  say,  'Well,  I  lak  you  for  mekky  me  v'ice 
fine.' 

"  Dun  da  Blacksmit'  run  da  red-hot  poker  in  B'er  Wolf 
t'roat,  un  'e  hu't  um  so  bad,  'tiss-a  bin  long  tarn  befo'  B'er 
Wolf  kin  tekky  da  long  walk  by  da  cocoanut  tree.  Bum- 
bye  'e  git  so  'e  kin  come  by,  un  wun  'e  git  dey-dey,  'e 
holler : 

" '  Granny  I  —  Granny  !  —  O  Granny  I  Jutta  cord-la  ! ' 

"  Da  v'ice  soun'  so  nice  un  fine  da'  Granny  Rabbit  is 
bin  t'ink  'e  B'er  Rabbit  v'ice,  un  'e  is  bin-a  let  da  bahskit 


AUNT  TEMPY'S  STORY  241 

down.  B'er  Wolf,  'e  shekky  da  cord  lak  'e  is  put  some 
bittle  in  da  bahskit,  un  dun  'e  is  bin-a  git  in  'ese'f.  B'er 
Wolf,  'e  keep  still.  Da  Granny  Rabbit  pull  on  da  cord; 
'e  do  say: 

"'Ki!  'e  come  he'ffy;  'e  he'ffy  fer  true.  Me  son,  'e 
love  'e  Granny  heap.' 

"B'er  Wolf,  'e  do  grin;  'e  grin,  un  'e  keep  still.  Da 
Granny  Rabbit  pull;  'e  do  pull  ha'd.  'E  pull  tel  'e  is  git 
B'er  Wolf  mos'  by  da  top,  un  dun  'e  stop  fer  res'.  B'er 
Wolf  look-a  down,  'e  head  swim  ;  'e  look  up,  'e  mout' 
water  ;  'e  look-a  down  'g'in,  'e  see  B'er  Rabbit.  'E  git 
skeer,  'e  juk  on  da  rope.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  do  holler: 

" '  Granny  !  —  Granny  !  —  O  Granny  !   Cutta  cord-la  ! ' 

"  Da  Granny  Rabbit  cut  da  cord,  un  B'er  Wolf  is  fall 
down  un  broke  'e  neck." 

XLI 
AUNT  TEMPY'S  STORY 

THE  little  boy  observed  that  Aunt  Tempy  was  very 
much  interested  in  Daddy  Jack's  story.  She  made  no 
remarks  while  the  old  African  was  telling  it,  but  she  was 
busily  engaged  in  measuring  imaginary  quilt  patterns  on 
her  apron  with  her  thumb  and  forefinger,  —  a  sure  sign 
that  her  interest  had  been  aroused.  When  Daddy  Jack 
had  concluded  —  when,  with  a  swift,  sweeping  gesture  of 
his  wrinkled  hand,  he  cut  the  cord  and  allowed  Brother 
Wolf  to  perish  ignominiously  —  Aunt  Tempy  drew  a  long 
breath,  and  said: 


242  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Dat  ar  tale  come  'cross  me  des  like  a  dream.  Hit  put 
me  in  mine  er  one  w'at  I  year  w'en  I  wuz  little  bit  er  gal. 
Look  like  I  kin  see  myse'f  right  now,  settin'  flat  down 
on  de  h'ath  lis'nin'  at  ole  Unk  Monk.  You  know'd  ole 
Unk  Monk,  Brer  Remus.  You  bleeze  ter  know'd  'im. 
Up  dar  in  Ferginny.  I  'clar'  ter  goodness,  it  make  me 
feel  right  foolish.  Brer  Remus,  I  des  know  you  know'd 
Unk  Monk." 

For  the  first  time  in  many  a  day  the  little  boy  saw 
Uncle  Remus  in  a  serious  mood.  He  leaned  forward 
in  his  chair,  shook  his  head  sadly,  as  he  gazed  into  the 
fire. 

"Ah,  Lord,  Sis  Tempy!"  he  exclaimed  sorrowfully, 
"  don't  less  we  all  go  foolin'  'roun'  'mungs'  dem  ole  times. 
De  bes'  kinder  bread  gits  sour.  Wat's  yistiddy  wid  us 
wuz  'fo'  de  worl'  begun  wid  dish  yer  chile.  Dat 's  de  way 
I  looks  at  it." 

"  Dat 's  de  Lord's  trufe,  Brer  Remus,"  exclaimed  Aunt 
Tempy  with  unction,  "un  I  mighty  glad  you  call  me  ter 
myse'f.  Little  mo'  un  I'd  er  sot  right  yer  un  'a'  gone 
'way  back  to  Ferginny,  un  all  on  'count  er  dat  ar  tale  w'at 
I  year  long  time  ago." 

"What  tale  was  that,  Aunt  Tempy?"  asked  the  little 
boy. 

"Eh-eh,  honey!"  replied  Aunt  Tempy,  with  a  display 
of  genuine  bashf ulness  ;  "  eh-eh,  honey !  I  'fraid  you  all 
'11  set  up  dar  un  laugh  me  outer  de  house.  I  aint  dast  ter 
tell  no  tale  'long  side  er  Brer  Remus  un  Daddy  Jack  yer. 
I  'fraid  I  git  it  all  mix  up." 


AUNT  TEMPY'S  STORY  243 

The  child  manifested  such  genuine  disappointment  that 
Aunt  Tempy  relented  a  little. 

"  Ef  you  all  laugh,  now,"  she  said,  with  a  threatening 
air,  "  I  'm  des  gwine  ter  pick  up  en  git  right  out  er  ^ish 
yer  place.  Dey  aint  ter  be  no  laughin',  'kaze  de  tale  w'at 
I  year  in  Ferginny  aint  no  laughin'  tale." 

With  this  understanding  Aunt  Tempy  adjusted  her 
head-handkerchief,  looked  around  rather  sheepishly,  as 
Uncle  Remus  declared  afterwards  in  confidence  to  the 
little  boy,  and  began: 

"  Well,  den,  in  de  times  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  un  Brer  Fox 
live  in  de  same  settlement  wid  one  er  'n'er,  de  season's 
tuck'n  come  wrong.  De  wedder  got  hot  un  den  a  long 
dry  drouth  sot  in,  un  it  seem  like  dat  de  nat'al  leaf  on  de 
trees  wuz  gwine  ter  tu'n  ter  powder." 

Aunt  Tempy  emphasized  her  statements  by  little  back 
ward  and  forward  movements  of  her  head,  and  the  little 
boy  would  have  laughed,  but  a  warning  glance  from 
Uncle  Remus  prevented  him. 

"De  leaf  on  de  trees  look  like  dey  gwine  ter  tu'n  ter 
powder,  un  de  groun'  look  like  it  done  bin  cookt.  All  de 
truck  w'at  de  creeturs  plant  wuz  all  parched  up,  un  dey 
wa'n't  no  crops  made  nowhars.  Dey  dunner  w'at  ter  do. 
Dey  run  dis  a- way,  dey  run  dat  a-way;  yit  w'en  dey  quit 
rurinin'  dey  dunner  whar  dey  bread  comin'  frun.  Dis  de 
way  it  look  ter  Brer  Fox,  un  so  one  day  w'en  he  got  a 
mighty  hankerin'  atter  sumpin'  sorter  joosy,  he  meet  Brer 
Rabbit  in  de  lane,  un  he  ax  um,  sezee: 

"'Brer  Rabbit,  whar'bouts  our  bread  comin'  frun?' 


244  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  bow,  he  did,  un  answer,  sezee: 
"Look  like  it  mought  be  comin'  frun  nowhar,'  sezee." 
"  You  see  dat,  honey ! "   exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  con 
descending  to  give  the  story  the  benefit  of  his  patronage ; 
"You  see  dat!   Brer  Rabbit  wuz  allus  a-waitin'  a  chance 
fer  ter  crack  he  jokes." 

"  Yas,  Lord ! "  Aunt  Tempy  continued,  with  consider 
able  more  animation;  "he  joke,  un  joke,  but  bimeby,  he 
aint  feel  like  no  mo'  jokin',  un  den  he  up'n  say,  sezee,  dat 
him  un  Brer  Fox  better  start  out'n  take  der  fammerlies  wid 
um  ter  town  un  swap  um  off  for  some  fresh-groun'  meal; 
un  Brer  Fox  say,  sezee,  dat  dat  look  mighty  fa'r  un 
squar',  un  den  dey  tuck'n  make  dey  'greements. 

"Brer  Fox  wuz  ter  s'ply  de  waggin  un  team,  un  he 
promise  dat  he  gwine  ter  ketch  he  fammerly  un  tie  um 
hard  un  fast  wid  a  red  twine  string.  Brer  Rabbit  he  say, 
sezee,  dat  he  gwine  ter  ketch  he  fammerly  un  tie  um  all, 
un  meet  Brer  Fox  at  de  fork  er  de  road. 

"Sho*  'nuff,  soon  in  de  mawnin',  w'en  Brer  Fox  draw 
up  wid  he  waggin,  he  holler  'Wo!'  un  Brer  Rabbit  he 
tuck'n  holler  back,  *  Wo  yo'se'f ! '  un  den  Brer  Fox  know 
dey  'uz  all  dar.  Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n  sot  up  on  de  seat, 
un  all  er  he  fammerly,  dey  wuz  a-layin'  under  de  seat. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  put  all  he  fammerly  in  de  behime 
een'  er  de  waggin,  un  he  say,  sezee,  dat  he  'speck  he  bet 
ter  set  back  dar  twel  dey  git  sorter  usen  ter  dey  sur- 
rounderlings,  un  den  Brer  Fox  crack  he  whip,  un  off 
dey  wen'  toze  town.  Brer  Fox,  he  holler  ev'y  once  in  a 
w'ile,  sezee: 


AUNT  TEMPY'S  STORY  245 

"'No  noddin'  back  dar,  Brer  Rabbit!' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  he  holler  back,  sezee : 

' '  Brer  Fox,  you  miss  de  ruts  en  de  rocks,  un  I  '11  miss 
de  noddin'.' 

"  But  all  dat  time,  bless  yo'  soul !  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  set- 
tin'  dar  ontyin'  he  ole  'oman  un  he  childun,  w'ich  dey  wuz 
sev'm  uv  um.  Wen  he  git  um  all  ontie,  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
tuck'n  h'ist  hisse'f  on  de  seat  'long  er  Brer  Fox,  un  dey 
sot  dar  un  talk  un  laugh  'bout  de  all-sorts  er  times  dey 
gwine  ter  have  w'en  dey  git  de  co'n  meal.  Brer  Fox  sez, 
sezee,  he  gwine  ter  bake  hoecake;  Brer  Rabbit  sez,  sezee, 
he  gwine  ter  make  ashcake. 

"  Des  'bout  dis  time  one  er  Brer  Rabbit's  childun  raise 
hisse'f  up  easy  un  hop  out  de  waggin.  Miss  Fox,  she  sing 

out: 

"One  frun  sev'm 
Don't  leave  'lev'm.' 

"  Brer  Fox  hunch  he  ole  'oman  wid  he  foot  fer  ter  make 
'er  keep  still.  Bimeby  'n'er  little  Rabbit  pop  up  un  hop 
out.  Miss  Fox  say,  se'  she: 

"'One  frun  six 
Leaves  me  less  kicks.' 

"  Brer  Fox  go  on  talkin'  ter  Brer  Rabbit,  un  Brer  Rab 
bit  go  on  talkin'  ter  Brer  Fox,  un  't  wa'n't  so  mighty  long 
'fo'  all  Brer  Rabbit  fammerly  done  pop  up  un  dive  out  de 
waggin,  un  ev'y  time  one  'ud  go  Miss  Fox  she  'ud  fit  it 
like  she  did  de  yuthers." 

"What  did  she  say,  Aunt  Tempy?"  asked  th?  Uttle 
boy,  who  was  interested  in  the  rhymes. 


246          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Des  lemme  see  — 

"'One  ] run  five 
Leaves  four  alive; 

" '  One  frun  four 
Leaves  th'ee  un  no  mo'; 

"'One  frun  th'ee 
Leaves  two  ter  go  free; 

" '  One  frun  one, 
Un  all  done  gone.'" 

"  What  did  Brother  Rabbit  do  then  ?  "  inquired  the  little 
boy. 

"Better  ax  w'at  Brer  Fox  do,"  replied  Aunt  Tempy, 
pleased  with  the  effect  of  her  rhymes.  "Brer  Fox  look 
'roun'  atter  w'ile,  un  w'en  he  see  dat  all  Brer  Rabbit  fam- 
merly  done  gone,  he  lean  back  un  holler  '  Wo ! '  un  den  he 
say,  sezee : 

'  *  In  de  name  er  goodness,  Brer  Rabbit !  whar  all  yo* 
folks?' 

"Brer  Rabbit  look  'roun',  un  den  he  make  like  he 
cryin'.  He  des  fa'rly  boo-hoo'd,  un  he  say,  sezee: 

"'Dar  now,  Brer  Fox!  I  des  know'd  dat  ef  I  put  my 
po'  little  childuns  in  dar  wid  yo'  folks  dey  'd  git  e't  up.  I 
des  know'd  it!' 

"  Ole  Miss  Fox,  she  des  vow  she  aint  totch  Brer  Rabbit 
fammerly.  But  Brer  Fox,  he  bin  wantin'  a  piece  un  um 
all  de  way,  un  he  begrudge  um  so  dat  he  git  mighty  mad 
wid  he  ole  'oman  un  de  childuns,  un  he  say,  sezee: 

"  *  You  kin  des  make  de  most  er  dat,  'kaze  I  'm  a-gwine 


AUNT  TEMPY'S  STORY  247 

ter  bid  you  good  riddance  die  ve'y  day;'  un,  sho'  nuff, 
Brer  Fox  tuck'n  tuck  he  whole  fammerly  ter  town  un 
trade  um  off  fer  co'n. 

"Brer  Rabbit  wuz  wid  'em,  des  ez  big  ez  life  un  twice 
ez  natchul.  Dey  start  back,  dey  did,  un  w'en  dey  git 
four  er  five  mile  out  er  town,  hit  come  'cross  Brer  Fox 
min'  dat  he  done  come  away  un  lef  a  plug  er  terbacker  in 
de  sto',  en  he  say  he  bleeze  ter  go  back  atter  it. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  say,  sezee,  dat  he  '11  stay  en  take  keer 
er  de  waggin,  w'ile  Brer  Fox  kin  run  back  un  git  he  ter 
backer.  Soon  ez  Brer  Fox  git  out  er  sight,  Brer  Rabbit 
laid  de  hosses  under  line  un  lash  un  drove  de  waggin 
home,  un  put  de  hosses  in  he  own  stable,  un  de  co'n  in  de 
smoke-house,  un  de  waggin  in  de  barn,  un  den  he  put 
some  co'n  in  he  pocket,  un  cut  de  hosses  tails  off,  un 
went  back  up  de  road  twel  he  come  ter  a  quog-mire,  un 
in  dat  he  stick  de  tails  un  wait  fer  Brer  Fox. 

"Atter  w'ile  yer  he  come,  un  den  Brer  Rabbit  gun  ter 
holler  un  pull  at  de  tails.  He  say,  sezee: 

' '  Run  yer,  Brer  Fox !  run  yer !  Youer  des  in  time  ef 
you  aint  too  late.  Run  yer,  Brer  Fox!  run  yer!' 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  run'd  en  juk  Brer  Rabbit  away,  un  say, 
sezee : 

" '  Git  out  de  way,  Brer  Rabbit !  You  too  little !  Git  out 
de  way,  un  let  a  man  ketch  holt.' 

"Brer  Fox  tuck  holt,"  continued  Aunt  Tempy,  endeav 
oring  to  keep  from  laughing,  "  un  he  fetch'd  one  big  pull, 
un  I  let  you  know  dat  'uz  de  onliest  pull  he  make,  'kaze  de 
tails  come  out  un  he  tu'n  a  back  summerset.  He  jump 


248  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

up,  he  did,  en  'gun  ter  grabble  in  de  quog-mire  des  ez 
hard  ez  he  kin. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  stan'  by,  un  drop  some  co'n  in  on- 
beknowns'  ter  Brer  Fox,  un  dis  make  'im  grabble  wuss  un 
wuss,  un  he  grabble  so  hard  un  he  grabble  so  long  dat 
't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  fall  down  dead,  un  so  dat  'uz  de  las' 
er  ole  Brer  Fox  in  dat  day  un  time." 

As  Aunt  Tempy  paused,  Uncle  Remus  adjusted  his 
spectacles  and  looked  at  her  admiringly.  Then  he  laughed 
heartily. 

"  I  declar',  Sis  Tempy,"  he  said,  after  a  while, "  you  gives 
tongue  same  ez  a  lawyer.  You'll  hatter  jine  in  wid  us 
some  mo'." 

Aunt  Tempy  closed  her  eyes  and  dropped  her  head  on 
one  side. 

"Don't  git  me  started,  Brer  Remus,"  she  said,  after  a 
pause ;  "  'kaze  ef  you  does  you  '11  hatter  set  up  yer  long 
pas'  yo*  bed-time." 

"  I  b'leeve  you,  Sis  Tempy,  dat  I  does ! "  exclaimed  the 
old  man,  with  the  air  of  one  who  has  made  a  pleasing 
discovery. 

XLII 
THE  FIRE-TEST 

"WE  er  sorter  bin  a-waitin'  fer  Sis  Tempy,"  Uncle  Re 
mus  remarked  when  the  little  boy  made  his  appearance 
the  next  night;  "but  somehow  er  n'er  look  lak  she  fear'd 
she  hatter  up  en  tell  some  mo'  tales.  En  yit  maybe  she 


THE  FIRE-TEST  249 

bin  strucken  down  wid  some  kinder  ailment.  Dey  aint 
no  countin'  on  deze  yer  fat  folks.  Dey  er  up  one  minnit 
en  down  de  nex' ;  en  w'at  make  it  dat  a- way  I  be  bless  ef 
I  know,  'kaze  w'en  folks  is  big  en  fat  look  lak  dey  oughter 
be  weller  dan  deze  yer  long  hongry  kinder  folks. 

"Yit  all  de  same,  Brer  Jack  done  come,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  "  en  we  ull  des  slam  de  do'  shet,  en  ef  Sis 
Tempy  come  she  '11  des  hatter  hoi'  'er  han's  'fo*  'er  face  en 
holler  out : 

''"Lucky  de  Linktum,  chucky  de  chin, 
Open  de  do'  en  let  me  in ! ' 

"  Oh,  you  kin  laugh  ef  you  wanter,  but  I  boun'  you  ef 
Sis  Tempy  wuz  ter  come  dar  en  say  de  wuds  w'at  I  say, 
de  button  on  dat  ar  do'  'ud  des  nat'ally  twis'  hitse'f  off  but 
w'at  't  would  let  'er  in.  Now,  I  boun'  you  dat ! " 

Whatever  doubts  the  child  may  have  had  he  kept  to 
himself,  for  experience  had  taught  him  that  it  was  use 
less  to  irritate  the  old  man  by  disputing  with  him.  What 
effect  the  child's  silence  may  have  had  in  this  instance  it 
it  impossible  to  say,  for  just  then  Aunt  Tempy  came  in 
laughing. 

"You  all  kin  des  say  w'at  you  please,"  she  exclaimed, 
as  she  took  her  seat,  "  but  dat  ar  Shuclcy  Cordy  in  de  tale 
w'at  Daddy  Jack  done  tole,  bin  runnin'  'roun'  in  my  min' 
en  zoonin'  in  my  years  all  de  time." 

"  Yer  too  !  "  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  with  emphasis. 
"  Dat 's  me  up  en  down.  Look  lak  dat  ar  cricket  over  dar 
in  de  cornder  done  tuck  it  up,  en  now  he  gwine, '  Shucky- 
cordy  !  Shucky-cordy  ! ' ' 


250  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Shuh-shuh!"  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  with  vehement 
contempt,  "  'e  jutta  cord-la!  'E  no  'shucky-cordy'  no'n 
't  all." 

"Well,  well,  Brer  Jack,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  soothingly, 
"in  deze  low  groun's  er  sorrer,  you  des  got  ter  lean  back 
en  make  'lowances  fer  all  sorts  er  folks.  You  got  ter  'low 
fer  dem  dat  knows  too  much  same  ez  dem  w'at  knows  too 
little.  A  heap  er  sayin's  en  a  heap  er  doin's  in  dis  roun' 
worl'  got  ter  be  tuck  on  trus'.  You  got  yo'  sayin's,  I  got 
mine  ;  you  got  yo'  knowin's,  en  I  got  mine.  Man  come 
'long  en  ax  me  how  does  de  wum  git  in  de  scaly-bark.1  I 
tell  'im  right  up  en  down,  I  dunno,  sir.  N'er  man  come 
'long  en  ax  me  who  raise  de  row  'twix'  de  buzzud  en  de 
bee-martin.2  I  tell  'im  I  dunno,  sir.  Yit,  'kaze  I  dunno," 
continued  Uncle  Remus,  "  dat  don't  hender  um.  Dar  dey 
is,  spite  er  dat,  —  wum  in  de  scaly-bark,  bee-martin  atter 
de  buzzud." 

"Dat's  so,"  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy,  "dat's  de  Lord's 
trufe!" 

"Dat  ar  pullin'  at  de  string,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on, 
"  en  dat  ar  hollerin'  'bout  shucky-cordy  " 

"  Jutta  cord-la  I "  said  Daddy  Jack,  fiercely. 

"  'Bout  de  watsizname,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  a 
lenient  and  forgiving  smile,  —  "  all  dish  yer  hollerin'  en 
gwine  on  'bout  de  watsizname  put  me  in  min'  er  one  time 
w'en  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  gwine  off  fum  home  fer  ter  git  a 
mess  er  green  truck. 

1  A  species  of  hickory-nut.    The  tree  sheds  its  bark  every  year,  hence 
the  name,  which  is  applied  to  both  tree  and  fruit. 

2  The  king-bird. 


THE  FIRE-TEST  251 

"Wen  Brer  Rabbit  git  ready  fer  ter  go,  he  call  all  he 
chilluns  up,  en  he  tell  um  dat  w'en  he  go  out  dey  mus* 
fas'n  de  do'  on  de  inside,  en  dey  mus'n'  tu'n  nobody  in, 
nohow,  'kaze  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Wolf  bin  layin'   'roun' 
waitin'  chance  fer  ter  nab  um.    En  he  tuck'n  tole  um  dat 
w'en  he  come  back,  he  'd  rap  at  de  do'  en  sing : 
"Til  stay  w'en  you  away, 
'Kaze  no  gol'  will  pay  toll ! ' 

"De  little  Rabs,  dey  hilt  up  der  ban's  en  promise  dat 
dey  won't  open  de  do'  fer  nobody  'ceppin'  dey  daddy,  en 
wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  he  tuck'n  put  out,  he  did,  at  a  han'- 
gallop,  huntin'  sump'n'  n'er  ter  eat.  But  all  dis  time,  Brer 
Wolf  bin  hidin'  out  behime  de  house,  en  he  year  eve'y 
wud  dat  pass,  en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  wa'n't  mo'n  out'n  sight 
'fo'  Brer  Wolf  went  ter  de  do',  en  he  knock,  he  did, — 
blip,  blip,  blip  ! 

"  Little  Rab  holler  out, '  Who  dat  ? ' 

"  Brer  Wolf  he  sing: 

" 'I  'II  stay  w'en  you  away, 
'Kaze  no  gol'  will  pay  toll ! ' 

"De  little  Rabs  dey  laugh  fit  ter  kill  deyse'f,  en  dey 
up'n  'low: 

" '  Go  'way,  Mr.  Wolf,  go  'way !  You  aint  none  er  we-all 
daddy!' 

"  Ole  Brer  Wolf  he  slunk  off,  he  did,  but  eve'y  time 
he  thunk  er  dem  plump  little  Rabs,  he  des  git  mo'  hongry 
dan  befo',  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  'uz  back  at  de  do' — • 
blap,  blap,  blap  ! 

"  Little  Rab  holler: '  Who  dat  ? ' 


252  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Brei*  Wolf,  he  up'n  sing: 

'**/  'II  stay  w'en  you  away, 
'Kaze  no  gol'  will  pay  toll ! ' 

"  De  little  Rabs  dey  laugh  en  roll  on  de  flo',  en  dey  up'n 
'low: 

"'Go  Vay,  Mr.  Wolf!  We-all  daddy  aint  got  no  bad 
col'  lak  dat.' 

"Brer  Wolf  slunk  off,  but  bimeby  he  come  back,  en 
dis  time  he  try  mighty  hard  fer  ter  talk  fine.  He  knock  at 
de  do' —  Uam,  blam,  blam  I 

" Little  Rab  holler: '  Who  dat  ? ' 

"  Brer  Wolf  tu'n  loose  en  sing  : 

"*/  'II  stay  w'en  you  away, 
'Kaze  no  gol'  will  pay  toll ! ' 

"Little  Rab  holler  back,  he  did: 

" '  Go  Vay,  Mr.  Wolf !  go  'way !  We-all  daddy  kin  sing 
lots  puttier  dan  dat.  Go  'way,  Mr.  Wolf !  go  'way ! ' 

"  Brer  Wolf  he  slunk  off,  he  did,  en  he  go  'way  out  in 
de  woods,  en  he  sing,  en  sing,  twel  he  kin  sing  fine  ez  de 
nex'  man.  Den  he  go  back  en  knock  at  de  do',  en  w'en 
de  little  Rabs  ax  who  dat,  he  sing  dem  de  song  ;  en  he 
sing  so  nice,  en  he  sing  so  fine,  dat  dey  ondo  de  do',  en 
ole  Brer  Wolf  walk  in  en  gobble  um  all  up,  fum  de  fus' 
ter  de  las'. 

"  W'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  git  back  home,  he  fine  de  do' 
stannin'  wide  open  en  all  de  chilluns  gone.  Dey  wa'n't  no 
sign  er  no  tussle;  de  h'a'th  'uz  all  swep'  clean,  en  eve'y- 
thing  wuz  all  ter  rights,  but  right  over  in  de  cornder  he 
see  a  pile  er  bones,  en  den  he  know  in  reason  dat  some 


THE  FIRE-TEST  253 

er  de  yuther  creeturs  done  bin  dar  en  make  hash  outen 
he  chilluns. 

"Den  he  go  'roun'  en  ax  um  'bout  it,  but  dey  all  'ny  it; 
dey  all  'ny  it  ter  de  las',  en  Brer  Wolf,  he  'ny  it  wuss'n  all 
un  um.  Den  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  lay  de  case  'fo'  Brer 
Tarrypin.  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  wuz  a  mighty  man  in  dem 
days,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  with  something  like  a 
sigh, —  "a  mighty  man,  en  no  sooner  is  he  year  de  state 
er  de  condition  dan  he  up'n  call  all  de  creeturs  tergedder. 
He  call  um  tergedder,  he  did,  en  den  he  up'n  tell  um  'bout 
how  somebody  done  tuck'n  'stroy  all  er  Brer  Rabbit  chil- 
lun,  en  he  'low  dat  de  man  w'at  do  dat  bleedz  ter  be  kotch, 
'kaze  ef  he  aint,  dey  aint  no  tellin'  how  long  it  '11  be  'fo'  de 
same  somebody  '11  come  'long  en  'stroy  all  de  chillun  in  de 
settlement. 

"  Brer  B'ar,  he  up'n  ax  how  dey  gwine  fine  'im,  en  Brer 
Tarrypin  say  dey  er  allers  a  way.  Den  he  'low: 

''Less  dig  a  deep  pit.' 

"I'll  dig  de  pit,'  sez  Brer  Wolf,  sezee. 

"  Atter  de  pit  done  dug,  Brer  Tarrypin  say : 

"'Less  fill  de  pit  full  er  lighter'd  knots  en  bresh.' 

"'I'll  fill  de  pit,'  sez  Brer  Wolf,  sezee. 

"Atter  de  pit  done  fill  up,  Brer  Tarrypin  say: 

"Now,  den,  less  set  it  a-fier.' 

"'I'll  kindle  de  fier,'  sez  Brer  Wolf,  sezee. 

"W'en  de  fier  'gun  ter  blaze  up,  Brer  Tarrypin  'low 
dat  de  creeturs  mus'  jump  'cross  dat,  en  de  man  w'at 
'stroy  Brer  Rabbit  chilluns  will  drap  in  en  git  bu'nt  up. 
Brer  Wolf  bin  so  uppity  'bout  diggin',  en  fillin',  en  kin- 


254  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

dlin',  dat  dey  all  'spected  'im  fer  ter  make  de  fus'  trial; 
but,  bless  yo'  soul  en  body!  Brer  Wolf  look  lak  he  got 
some  yuther  business  fer  ter  'ten'  ter. 

"De  pit  look  so  deep,  en  de  fier  bu'n  so  high,  dat  dey 
mos'  all  'fear'd  fer  ter  make  de  trial,  but  atter  w'ile,  Brer 
Mink  'low  dat  he  aint  hunted  none  er  Brer  Rabbit  chilluns, 
en  wid  dat,  he  tuck  runnin'  start,  en  lipt  across.  Den  Brer 
Coon  say  he  aint  hunted  um,  en  over  he  sailed.  Brer  B'ar 
say  he  feel  mo'  heavy  dan  he  ever  is  befo'  in  all  he  born 
days,  but  he  aint  hurted  none  er  Brer  Rabbit  po'  little 
chilluns,  en  wid  dat  away  he  went  'cross  de  fier.  Dey  all 
jump,  twel  bimeby  hit  come  Brer  Wolf  time.  Den  he 
'gun  ter  git  skeered,  en  he  mighty  sorry  'kaze  he  dig  dat 
pit  so  deep  en  wide,  en  kindle  dat  fier  so  high.  He  tuck 
sech  a  long  runnin'  start,  dat  time  he  git  ter  de  jumpin' 
place,  he  'uz  done  wo'  teetotally  out,  en  he  lipt  up,  he  did, 
en  fetch'd  a  squall  en  drapt  right  spang  in  de  middle  er 
de  fier." 

"Uncle  Remus,"  said  the  little  boy,  after  a  while,  "did 
Brother  Terrapin  jump  over  the  fier  ? " 

"  W'at  Brer  Tarrypin  gwine  jump  fer  ? "  responded 
Uncle  Remus,  "w'en  eve'ybody  know  Tarrypins  aint  eat 
Rabbits." 

"Well,  you  know  you  said  everything  was  different 
then,"  said  the  child. 

"Look  yer,  Brer  Jack,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  "ef 
you  got  any  tale  on  yo'  mine,  des  let  'er  come.  Dish  yer 
youngster  gittin'  too  long-headed  fer  me;  dat  he  is." 

1  See  Uncle  Remus :  His  Songs  and  his  Sayings,  p.  79. 


THE  CUNNING  SNAKE  255 

XLIII 
THE  CUNNING  SNAZE 

DADDY  JACK,  thus  appealed  to,  turned  half  round  in 
his  seat,  winked  his  bright  little  eyes  very  rapidly,  and 
said,  with  great  animation : 

"  Hoo !  me  bin  yeddy  one  sing-tale  ;  me  yeddy  urn  so 
long  tain  'go.  One  tarn  dere  bin  one  ole  Affiky  ooman, 
'e  call  'im  name  Coomba.  'E  go  walky  troo  da  woots,  'e 
walky  troo  da  fiel'.  Bumbye  'e  is  bin  come  'pon  one 
snake-nes'  fill  wit'  aig.  Snake  big  snake,  aig  big  aig. 
Affiky  oomans  is  bin  want-a  dem  aig  so  band;  'e  'fraid  fer 
tek  um.  'E  gone  home;  'e  is  see  dem  aig  in  'e  dream,  'e 
want  um  so  bahd.  Wun  da  nex'  day  mornin'  come,  da 
Affiky  oomaris  say  'e  bleeze  fer  hab  dem  aig.  'E  go  'way, 
'e  bin-a  see  da  snake-nes',  'e  is  git-a  da  aig;  'e  fetch  um 
at  'e  own  house;  'e  cook  um  fer  'e  brekwuss. 

"Bumbye  da  snake  bin-a  come  by  'e  nes'.  Aig  done 
gone.  'E  pit  'e  nose  'pon  da  groun',  'e  is  track  da  Affiky 
oomans  by  'e  own  house.  Snake  come  by  da  Affiky  oomans 
house ;  'e  ahx  'bout  'e  aig.  Affiky  oomans  say  'e  no  hab  bin 
see  no  aig.  Snake  see  da  skin  wut  bin  'pon  'e  aig ;  'e  ahx 
wut  is  dis.  Affiky  oomans  no  say  nuttin'  't  all.  Snake  'e  say : 

"  *  Wey  fer  you  come  brek  up  me  nes'  un  tekky  me  aig  ? ' 

"  Affiky  oomans  'e  no  say  nuttin'  't  all.  'E  toss  'e  head, 
'e  mek  lak  'e  no  yeddy  da  snake  v'ice,  'e  go  'bout  'e  wuk. 
Snake,  'e  say: 

"'Ooman!   you  is  bin  yed  me  v'ice  wun  me  cry  out. 


256  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

You  bin  tekky  me  aig;  you  is  bin  'stroy  me  chillun.  Tek 
keer  you'  own;  tek  keer  you'  own.' 

"Snake  gone  'way;  'e  slick  out  'e  tongue,  'e  slide  'way. 
Bumbye  de  Affiky  oomans,  'e  nab  one  putty  HI  picka 
ninny;  'e  lub  um  ha'd  all  over.  'E  is  mine  wut  da  snake 
say;  'e  tote  da  pickaninny  'roun'  'pon  'e  bahck.  'E  call 
um  Noncy,  'e  tote  um  fur,  'e  lub  um  ha'd. 

"  Snake,  'e  bin-a  stay  in  da  bush-side ;  'e  watch  all  day, 
'e  wait  all  night;  'e  git  honkry  fer  da  pickaninny,  'e  want 
um  so  bahd.  'E  bin  slick  out  'e  tongue,  'e  bin  slide  troo 
da  grass,  'e  bin  hanker  fer  da  pickaninny. 

"  Bumbye  da  Affiky  oomans  tote-a  da  Noncy  til  'e  git 
tire;  'e  puff,  'e  blow,  'e  wuk  'e  gill  sem  lak  cat-fish." 

Aunt  Tempy  burst  into  loud  laughter  at  this  remarkable 
statement. 

"Whoever  is  year  de  beat  er  dat  !  "  she  exclaimed. 
"  Daddy  Jack,  you  goes  on  owdashus  'bout  de  wimmen, 
dat  you  does ! " 

"  'E  puff,  'e  blow,  'e  pant;  'e  say: 

"'Da  pickaninny,  'e  der  git-a  big  lak  one  bag  rice. 
'E  der  git-a  so  heffy,  me  yent  mos'  know  wut  fer  do.  Me 
yent  kin  tote  um  no  mo'.' 

"Da  Affiky  oomans  is  bin-a  pit  da  pickaninny  down 
'pon  da  groun'.  'E  mek  up  one  sing1  in  'e  head,  un  'e 
1'arn  da  lilly  gal  fer  answer  da  sing.  'E  do  show  um  how 
fer  pull  out  da  peg  in  da  do'.  Snake,  'e  is  bin  lay  quile 
up  in  da  bush ;  'e  say  nuttin'  't  all. 

1  "  'E  mek  up  one  sing."  She  composed  a  song  and  taught  the  child  the 
refrain. 


THE  CUNNING  SNAKE  257 

"  Affiky  oomans  is  l'arn-a  da  pickaninny  fer  answer  da 
sing,  un  wun  he  sta't  fer  go  off,  'e  say: 

" '  Pit  da  peg  in  da  do'  un  you  no  y-open  um  fer  nobody 
'cep'  you  is  yeddy  me  sing.' 

"  Lil  gal,  'e  say  yassum,  un  da  Affiky  oomans  gone  off. 
Snake  stay  still.  'E  quile  up  in  'e  quile;  'e  yent  moof l 
'e  tail.  Bumbye,  toze  night-time,  da  Affiky  oomans  come 
bahck  wey  'e  lif.  'E  stan'  by  da  do' ;  'e  talk  dis  sing: 

"'Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy !  ' 

"  'E  v'ice  'come  finer  toze  da  las'  tel  'e  do  git  loud  fer 
true.   Da  lilly  gal,  'e  do  mek  answer  lak  dis : 
"'Andolee!  Andoli !  Andolo  !  ' 

"'E  know  'e  mammy  v'ice,  en  'e  bin  pull  out  da  peg 
queek.  'E  run  to  'e  mammy;  'e  mammy  der  hug  um  up. 
Nex'  day,  'e  da  sem  t'ing;  two,  t'ree,  sev'm  day,  'e  da  sem 
t'ing.  Affiky  oomans  holler  da  sing;  da  lilly  gal  mek  an 
swer  'pon  turrer  side  da  do'.  Snake,  'e  lay  quile  up  in 
da  bush.  'E  watch  da  night,  'e  lissun  da  day;  'e  try  fer 
l'arn-a  da  sing;  'e  no  say  nuttin'  't  all.  Bumbye,  one  tarn 
wun  Affiky  oomans  bin  gone  'way,  snake,  'e  wait  'til  'e 
mos'  tarn  fer  oomans  fer  come  bahck.  'E  gone  by  da  do' ; 
'e  y-open  'e  mout';  'e  say: 

"'Wullo  wullo  widdo,  me  Noncy, 
Wullo  wullo  widdo,  me  Noncy, 
Wullo  wullo  widdo,  me  Noncy  !  ' 

"'E  try  fer  mekky  'e    v'ice  come  fine  lak  da  lil  gal 

1  Move  ;  he  aint  move  he  tail ;  he  has  n't  even  moved  his  tail. 


258  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

mammy;  'e  der  hab  one  rough  place  in  'e  t'roat,  un  'e 
v'ice  come  big.  Lilly  gal  no  mek  answer.  'E  no  y-open 
da  do'.  'E  say: 

' '  Go  'way  f um  dey-dey !  Me  mammy  no  holler  da  sing 
lakdat!' 

"  Snake,  'e  try  one,  two,  t'ree  time  ;  'e  yent  no  use. 
Lilly  gal  no  y-open  da  do',  'e  no  mek  answer.  Snake  'e 
slick  out  'e  tongue  un  slide  'way;  'e  say  'e  mus'  l'arn-a  da 
sing  sho'  'miff. 

"Bumbye,  da  Affiky    oomans   come  bahck.   'E  holler 

da  sing: 

"'Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy ! ' 

"  Lilly  gal  say :  '  Da'  me  mammy ! '  'E  answer  da  sing : 
" '  Andolee !  Andoli !  Andolo ! 

"Snake,  'e  quile  up  in  da  chimmerly-corner ;  'e  hoi'  'e 
bre't'  fer  lissun;  'e  der  l'arn-a  da  sing.  Nex'  day  mornin' 
da  Affiky  oomans  bin-a  gone  'way  un  lef '  da  lilly  gal  all  by 
'ese'f.  All  de  day  long  da  snake  'e  t'ink  about  da  song;  'e 
say  um  in  'e  min',  'e  say  um  forwud,  'e  say  um  backwud. 
Bumbye,  mos'  toze  sundown,  'e  come  at  da  do' ;  'e  come, 
'e  holler  da  sing : 

" 'Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy, 
Walla  walla  witto,  me  Noncy ! ' 

"Da  lil  gal,  'e  t'ink-a  da  snake  bin  'e  mammy;  'e  is 
answer  da  sing: 

"'Andolee!  Andoli!  Andolo T 


THE  CUNNING  SNAKE  259 

"  'E  mek  answer  lak  dat,  un  'e  y-open  da  do'  queek.  'E 
run  'pon  da  snake  'fo'  'e  is  shum.1  Snake,  'e  bin-a  hug 
da  lilly  gal  mo'  sem  dun  'e  mammy  ;  'e  is  twis'  'e  tail 
'roun'  um;  'e  is  ketch  um  in  'e  quile.  Lilly  gal  'e  holler, 
'e  squall;  'e  squall,  'e  holler.  Nobody  bin-a  come  by  fer 
yeddy  um.  Snake  'e  'quees'  2  um  tight,  'e  no  1'em  go;  'e 
'quees'  um  tight,  'e  swaller  um  whole;  'e  bre'k-a  no  bone; 
'e  tekky  da  lilly  gal  lak  'e  stan'. 

"Bumbye  da  lil  mammy  come  home  at  'e  house.  'E 
holler  da  sing,  'e  git-a  no  answer.  'E  come  skeer';  'e 
v'ice  shek,  'e  body  trimple.  'E  lissun,  'e  no  yeddy  no 
fuss.  'E  push  de  do'  y-open,  'e  no  see  nuttin'  't  all;  da 
lilly  gal  gone!  Da  ooman  'e  holler,  'e  cry;  'e  ahx  way 
'e  lilly  gal  bin  gone;  'e  no  git  no  answer.  'E  look  all 
'roun',  'e  see  way  da  snake  bin-a  'cross  da  road.  'E 
holler : 

"Ow,  me  Lard!  da  snake  bin  come  swaller  me  lil 
Noncy  gal.  I  gwan  hunt  'im  up;  I  gwan  foller  da  snake 
pas'  da  een'  da  yet'.' 8 

"  'E  go  in  da  swamp,  'e  cut  'im  one  cane ;  'e  come  bahck, 
'e  fine  da  snake  track,  un  'e  do  foller  'long  wey  'e  lead. 
Snake  'e  so  full  wit  de  lilly  gal  'e  no  walk  fas';  lil  gal 
mammy,  'e  bin  mad,  'e  go  stret  'long.  Snake  'e  so  full 
wit'  da  lilly  gal,  'e  come  sleepy.  'E  lay  down,  'e  shed-a  'e 
y-eye.  'E  y-open  um  no  mo',"  continued  Daddy  Jack, 
moving  his  head  slowly  from  side  to  side,  and  looking  as 
solemn  as  he  could.  "  Da  ooman  come  'pon  de  snake 

1  Before  he  see  um.  2  Squeeze. 

3  Earth,   Uncle  Remus  would  say  "  Yeth." 


260  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

wun  'e  bin  lay  dar  'sleep;  'e  come  'pon  'im,  un  'e  tekky 
da  cane  un  bre'k  'e  head,  'e  mash  um  flat.  'E  cut  da 
snake  open,  'e  fine  da  lilly  gal  sem  lak  'e  bin  'sleep.  'E 
tek  um  home,  'e  wash  um  off.  Bumbye  da  lilly  gal  y-open 
'e  y-eye,  un  soon  'e  see  'e  mammy,  'e  answer  da  sing.  'E 

say: 

"'Andolee!  Andoli!  Andolo!" 

"Well,  well,  well!"  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy,  sympa 
thetically.  "  Un  de  po'  little  creetur  wuz  'live  ? " 

"Enty!"  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack.  No  reply  could  pos 
sibly  have  been  more  prompt,  more  emphatic,  or  more 
convincing. 

XLIV 
HOW  BROTHER  FOX  WAS  TOO  SMART 

"UNCLE  REMUS,"  said  the  little  boy,  one  night  when 
he  found  the  old  man  alone,  "I  don't  like  these  stories 
where  somebody  has  to  stand  at  the  door  and  sing,  do 
you  ?  They  don't  sound  funny  to  me." 

Uncle  Remus  crossed  his  legs,  took  off  his  spectacles 
and  laid  them  carefully  on  the  floor  under  his  chair,  and 
made  a  great  pretence  of  arguing  the  matter  with  the 
child. 

"  Now,  den,  honey,  w'ich  tale  is  it  w'at  you  aint  lak  de 
mos'?" 

The  little  boy  reflected  a  moment  and  then  replied : 

"About  the  snake  swallowing  the  little  girl.  I  don't 
see  any  fun  in  that.  Papa  says  they  have  snakes  in  Africa 


HOW  BROTHER  FOX  WAS  TOO  SMART    261 

as  big  around  as  his  body;  and,  goodness  knows,  I  hope 
they  won't  get  after  me." 

"  How  dey  gwine  git  atter  you,  honey,  w'en  you  settin' 
up  yer  'long  side  er  me  en  de  snakes  'way  'cross  dar  in 
Affiky?" 

"Well,  Daddy  Jack,  he  came,  and  the  snakes  might 
come  too." 

Uncle  Remus  laughed,  more  to  reassure  the  child  than 
to  ridicule  his  argument. 

"  Dem  ar  snakes  aint  no  water-moccasin,  not  ez  I  knows 
un.  Brer  Jack  bin  yer  mighty  long  time,  en  dey  aint  no 
snake  f oiler  atter  'im  yit." 

"Now,  Uncle  Remus!  papa  says  they  have  them  in 
shows." 

"  I  'speck  dey  is,  honey,  but  who 's  afear'd  er  snake  stufft 
wid  meal-bran  ?  Not  none  er  ole  Miss  gran'chillun,  sho' !" 

"Well,  the  stories  don't  sound  funny  to  me." 

"  Dat  mought  be,  yit  deyer  funny  ter  Brer  Jack,  en  dey 
do  mighty  well  fer  ter  pass  de  time.  Atter  w'ile  you  '11  be 
a-gwine  'roun'  runnin'  down  ole  Brer  Rabbit  en  de  t'er 
creeturs,  en  somehow  er  n'er  you  '11  take'n  git  ole  Remus 
mix  up  wid  um  twel  you  won't  know  w'ich  one  un  um  you 
er  runnin'  down,  en  let  'lone  dat,  you  won't  keer  needer. 
Shoo,  honey!  you  aint  de  fus'  chap  w'at  I  done  tole  deze 
yer  tales  ter." 

"Why,  Uncle  Remus,"  exclaimed  the  little  boy,  in  a 
horrified  tone,  "  I  would  nt ;  you  know  I  would  n't ! " 

"Don't  tell  me!"  insisted  the  old  man,  "you  er  out- 
growin'  me,  en  you  er  outgrowin'  de  tales.  Des  lak  Miss 


262  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Sally  change  de  lenk  er  yo'  britches,  des  dat  a-way  I  got 
ter  do  w'ence  I  whirl  in  en  persoo  atter  de  creeturs.  Time 
wuz  w'en  you  'ud  set  down  yer  by  dish  yer  h'a'th,  en  you  'd 
take'n  holler  en  laugh  en  clap  yo'  han's  w'en  ole  Brer 
Rabbit  'ud  kick  outen  all  er  he  tanglements ;  but  deze  times 
you  sets  dar  wid  yo'  eyes  wide  open,  en  you  don't  crack 
a  smile.  I  say  it  !  "  Uncle  Remus  exclaimed,  changing 
his  tone  and  attitude,  as  if  addressing  some  third  person 
concealed  in  the  room.  "I  say  it!  Stidder  j'inin'  in  wid 
de  fun,  he  '11  take'n  lean  back  dar  en  'spute  'long  wid  you 
des  lak  grow'd  up  folks.  I'll  stick  it  out  dis  season,  but 
w'en  Chrismus  come,  I  be  bless  ef  I  aint  gwine  ter  ax 
Miss  Sally  fer  my  remoovance  papers,  en  I'm  gwine  ter 
hang  my  bundle  on  my  walkin'-cane,  en  see  w'at  kinder 
dirt  dey  is  at  de  fur  een'  er  de  big  road." 

"Yes!"  exclaimed  the  little  boy,  triumphantly,  "and,  if 
you  do,  the  patter-rollers  will  get  you." 

"  Well,"  replied  the  old  man,  with  a  curious  air  of  re 
signation,  "  ef  dey  does,  I  aint  gwine  ter  do  lak  Brer  Fox  did 
w'en  Brer  Rabbit  showed  him  de  tracks  in  de  big  road." 

"  How  did  Brother  Fox  do,  Uncle  Remus  ? " 

"Watch  out,  now!  Dish  yer  one  er  de  tales  w'at  aint 
got  no  fun  in  it." 

"Uncle  Remus,  please  tell  it." 

"  Hoi'  on  dar !   Dey  mought  be  a  snake  some'rs  in  it  — 
one  er  deze  yer  meal-bran  snakes." 

"Please,  Uncle  Remus,  tell  it." 

The  old  man  never  allowed  himself  to  resist  the  artful 
pleadings  of  the  little  boy.  So  he  recovered  his  specks 


HOW  BROTHER  FOX  WAS  TOO  SMART    263 

from  under  the  chair,  looked  up  the  chimney  for  luck,  as 
he  explained  to  his  little  partner,  and  proceeded : 

"  One  day  w'en  Brer  Fox  went  callin'  on  Miss  Meadows 
en  Miss  Motts  en  de  t'er  gals,  who  should  he  fine  settin' 
up  dar  but  ole  Brer  Rabbit?  Yasser!  Dar  he  wuz,  des 
ez  sociable  ez  you  please.  He  'uz  gwine  on  wid  de  gals, 
en  w'en  Brer  Fox  drapt  in  dey  look  lak  dey  wuz  mighty 
tickled  'bout  sump'n'  n'er  Brer  Rabbit  bin  sayin'.  Brer 
Fox,  he  look  sorter  jub'ous,  he  did,  des  lak  folks  does 
w'en  dey  walks  up  in  a  crowd  whar  de  yuthers  all  a-gig- 
glin'.  He  tuck'n  kotch  de  dry  grins  terreckerly.  But  dey 
all  howdied,  en  Miss  Meadows,  she  up'n  say: 

*  You  '11  des  hatter  skuse  us,  Brer  Fox,  on  de  'count  er 
dish  yer  gigglement.  Tooby  sho',  hit  monst'us  disperlite 
fer  we-all  fer  to  be  gwine  on  dat  a-way ;  but  I  mighty  glad 
you  come,  en  I  sez  ter  de  gals,  s'l,  " 'Fo'  de  Lord,  gals! 
dar  come  Brer  Fox,  en  yer  we  is  a-gigglin'  en  a-gwine  on 
scan'lous;  yit  hit  done  come  ter  mighty  funny  pass,"  s'l, 
"  ef  you  can't  run  on  en  laugh  'fo'  home  folks,"  s'l.  Dat 
des  'zactly  w'at  I  say,  en  I  leave  it  ter  ole  Brer  Rabbit  en 
de  gals  yer  ef  't  aint.' 

"  De  gals,  dey  tuck'n  jine  in,  dey  did,  en  dey  make  ole 
Brer  Fox  feel  right  splimmy-splammy,  en  dey  all  sot  dar 
en  run  on  'bout  dey  neighbors  des  lak  folks  does  deze 
days.  Dey  sot  dar,  dey  did,  twel  atter  w'ile  Brer  Rabbit 
look  out  todes  sundown,  en  'low : 

"Now,  den,  folks  and  fr'en's,  I  bleedz  ter  say  goo' 
bye.  Cloud  comin'  up  out  yan,  en  mos'  'fo'  we  know  it 
de  rain  '11  be  a-po'in'  en  de  grass  '11  be  a-growin'. '  " 


264  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Why,  that's  poetry,  Uncle  Remus!"  interrupted  the 
little  boy. 

"  Tooby  sho'  't  is,  honey !  tooby  sho'  't  is.  I  des  let  you 
know  Brer  Rabbit  'uz  a  mighty  man  in  dem  days.  Brer 
Fox,  he  see  de  cloud  comin'  up,  en  he  up'n  'low  he  'speck 
he  better  be  gittin'  'long  hisse'f ,  'kaze  he  aint  wanter  git  he 
Sunday-go-ter-meetin'  cloze  wet.  Miss  Meadows  en  Miss 
Motts,  en  de  gals,  dey  want  um  ter  stay,  but  bofe  er  dem 
ar  creeturs  'uz  mighty  fear'd  er  gittin'  der  foots  wet,  en 
atter  w'ile  dey  put  out. 

"Wiles  dey  'uz  gwine  down  de  big  road,  jawin'  at  one 
er  'n'er,  Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n  stop  right  quick,  en  'low: 

"'Run  yer,  Brer  Rabbit!  run  yer!  Ef  my  eye  aint 
'ceive  me  yer  de  signs  whar  Mr.  Dog  bin  'long,  en  mo'n 
dat  dey  er  right  fresh.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sidle  up  en  look.    Den  he  'low : 

" '  Dat  ar  track  aint  never  fit  Mr.  Dog  foot  in  de  roun' 
worl'.  W'at  make  it  mo'  bindin','  sezee,  'I  done  gone 
en  bin  'quainted  wid  de  man  w'at  make  dat  track,  too 
long  'go  ter  talk  'bout,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  please,  sir,  tell  me  he  name.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  laugh  lak  he  makin'  light  er  sump'n* 
'n'er. 

" '  Ef  I  aint  make  no  mistakes,  Brer  Fox,  de  po'  cree- 
tur  w'at  make  dat  track  is  Cousin  Wildcat;  no  mo'  en  no 
less.' 

" '  How  big  is  he,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 

"'He  des  'bout  yo'  heft,  Brer  Fox.'  Den  Brer  Rabbit 
make  lak  he  talkin'  wid  hisse'f.  '  Tut,  tut,  tut !  Hit  mighty 


HOW  BROTHER  FOX  WAS  TOO  SMART    265 

funny  dat  I  should  run  up  on  Cousin  Wildcat  in  dis  part 
er  de  worl'.  Tooby  sho',  tooby  sho' !  Many  en  manys  de 
time  I  see  my  ole  Grandaddy  kick  en  cuff  Cousin  Wild 
cat,  twel  I  git  sorry  'bout  'im.  Ef  you  want  any  fun,  Brer 
Fox,  right  now  de  time  ter  git  it.' 

"  Brer  Fox  up'n  ax,  he  did,  how  he  gwine  have  any  fun. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low: 

"Easy  'miff;  des  go  en  tackle  ole  Cousin  Wildcat,  en 
lam  'im  'roun'.' 

"Brer  Fox,  he  sorter  scratch  he  year,  en  'low: 

"'Eh-eh,  Brer  Rabbit,  I  fear'd.  He  track  too  much 
lak  Mr.  Dog.' 

"Brer  Rabbit  des  set  right  flat  down  in  de  road,  en 
holler  en  laugh.  He  'low,  sezee: 

' '  Shoo,  Brer  Fox !  Who  'd  'a'  thunk  you  'uz  so  skeery  ? 
Des  come  look  at  dish  yer  track  right  close.  Is  dey  any 
sign  er  claw  anywhar's  ? ' 

"  Brer  Fox  bleedz  ter  'gree  dat  dey  wa'n't  no  sign  er  no 
claw.  Brer  Rabbit  say :  — 

"'Well,  den,  ef  he  aint  got  no  claw,  how  he  gwine  ter 
hu't  you,  Brer  Fox  ? ' 

"' W'at  gone  wid  he  toofs,  Brer  Rabbit?' 

" '  Shoo,  Brer  Fox !  Creeturs  w'at  barks l  de  trees  aint 
gwine  bite.' 

"Brer  Fox  tuck'n  tuck  'n'er  good  look  at  de  tracks, 

en  den  him  en  Brer  Rabbit  put  out  fer  ter  foller  um  up. 

Dey  went  up  de  road,  en  down  de  lane,   en  'cross  de 

turnip  patch,  en  down  a  dreen,2  en  up  a  big  gully.   Brer 

1  Gnaws  the  bark  from  the  trees.  2  Drain  or  ditch. 


266          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Rabbit,  he  done  de  trackin',  en  eve'y  time  he  fine  one,  he 
up'n  holler: 

" '  Yer  'n'er  track,  en  no  claw  dar !  Yer  'n'er  track,  en 
no  claw  dar!' 

"  Dey  kep'  on  en  kep'  on,  twel  bimeby  dey  run  up  wid 
de  creetur.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  holler  out  mighty  biggity: 

"'Heyo  dar!  Wat  you  doin'  ?' 

"De  creetur  look  'roun',  but  he  aint  sayin'  nothin'. 
Brer  Rabbit  'low: 

"'Oh,  you  nee'nter  look  so  sullen!  We  ull  make  you 
talk  'fo'  we  er  done  'long  wid  you!  Come,  now!  Wat 
you  doin'  out  dar  ? ' 

"  De  creetur  rub  hisse'f  'gin'  a  tree  des  lak  you  see  deze 
yer  house  cats  rub  g'in'  a  cheer,  but  he  aint  sayin'  nothin'. 
Brer  Rabbit  holler: 

"Wat  you  come  pesterin'  'long  wid  us  fer,  w'en  we 
aint  bin  a-pesterin'  you  ?  You  got  de  consate  dat  I  dun- 
ner  who  you  is,  but  I  does.  Youer  de  same  ole  Cousin 
Wildcat  w'at  my  gran'daddy  use  ter  kick  en  cuff  w'en 
you  'fuse  ter  'spon'.  I  let  you  know  I  got  a  better  man 
yer  dan  w'at  my  gran'daddy  ever  is  bin,  en  I  boun'  you 
he  ull  make  you  talk.  Dat  w'at  I  boun'  you.' 

"De  creetur  lean  mo'  harder  'gin'  de  tree,  en  sorter 
ruffle  up  he  bristle,  but  he  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  'low: 

" '  Go  up  dar,  Brer  Fox,  en  ef  he  'fuse  ter  'spon'  slap 
'im  down !  Dat  de  way  my  gran'daddy  done.  You  go  up 
dar,  Brer  Fox,  en  ef  he  dast  ter  try  ter  run,  I  '11  des  whirl 
in  en  ketch  'im.' 


HOW  BROTHER  FOX  WAS  TOO  SMART    267 

"Brer  Fox,  he  sorter  jub'ous,  but  he  start  todes  de 
creetur.  Ole  Cousin  Wildcat  walk  all  'roun'  de  tree,  rub- 
bin'  hisse'f,  but  he  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
holler: 

" '  Des  walk  right  up  en  slap  'im  down,  Brer  Fox  — 
de  owdashus  vilyun!  Des  hit  'im  a  surbinder,  en  ef  he 
dast  ter  run,  I  boun'  you  I  '11  ketch  'im.' 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  went  up  little  nigher.  Cousin  Wildcat 
stop  rubbin'  on  de  tree,  en  sot  up  on  he  behime  legs  wid 
he  front  paws  in  de  a'r,  en  he  balance  hisse'f  by  leanin' 
g'in'  de  tree,  but  he  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
squall  out,  he  did: 

" '  Oh,  you  nee'nter  put  up  yo'  ban's  en  try  ter  beg  off. 
Dat  de  way  you  fool  my  ole  gran'daddy;  but  you  can't 
fool  we-all.  All  yo'  settin'  up  en  beggin'  aint  gwine  ter 
he'p  you.  Ef  youer  so  humble  ez  all  dat,  w'at  make  you 
come  pesterin'  longer  we-all  ?  Hit  'im  a  clip,  Brer  Fox ! 
Ef  he  run,  I '11  ketch 'im!' 

"  Brer  Fox  see  de  creetur  look  so  mighty  humble,  settin' 
up  dar  lak  he  beggin'  off,  en  he  sorter  take  heart.  He 
sidle  up  todes  'im,  he  did,  en  des  ez  he  'uz  makin'  ready 
fer  ter  slap  'im  ole  Cousin  Wildcat  draw'd  back  en  fotch 
Brer  Fox  a  wipe  'cross  de  stomach." 

Uncle  Remus  paused  here  a  moment,  as  if  to  discover 
some  term  strong  enough  to  do  complete  justice  to  the 
catastrophe.  Presently  he  went  on : 

"  Dat  ar  Cousin  Wildcat  creetur  fotch  Brer  Fox  a  wipe 
'cross  de  stomach,  en  you  mought  a  yeard  'im  squall  fum 
yer  ter  Harmony  Grove.  Little  mo'  en  de  creetur  would 


268  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

er  to'  Brer  Fox  in  two.  Wence  de  creetur  made  a  pass  at 
'im,  Brer  Rabbit  knew  w'at  gwine  ter  happen,  yit  all  de 
same  he  tuck'n  holler: 

'" Hit  'imag'in,  Brer  Fox!  Hit 'im  ag'in!  I'm  a-back- 
in'  you,  Brer  Fox !  Ef  he  dast  ter  run,  I  '11  inabout  cripple 
'im  —  dat  I  will.  Hit  'im  ag'in ! ' 

"  All  dis  time,  w'iles  Brer  Rabbit  gwine  on  dis  a- way, 
Brer  Fox,  he  'uz  a-squattin'  down,  hol'in'  he  stomach  wid 
bofe  ban's  en  des  a-moanin' : 

"'I'm  ruint,  Brer  Rabbit!  I'm  mint!  Run  fetch  de 
doctor !  I  'm  teetotally  ruint ! ' 

"  'Bout  dat  time,  Cousin  Wildcat,  he  tuck'n  tuck  a  walk. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  lak  he  'stonish'  dat  Brer  Fox  is 
hurted.  He  tuck'n  'zamin'  de  place,  he  did,  en  he  up'n 
'low: 

"'Hit  look  lak  ter  me,  Brer  Fox,  dat  dat  owdashus 
vilyun  tuck'n  struck  you  wid  a  reapin'-hook.' 

"Wid  dat  Brer  Rabbit  lit  out  fer  home,  en  w'en  he  git 
out  er  sight,  he  tuck'n  shuck  he  han's  des  lak  cat  does 
w'en  she  git  water  on  'er  foots,  en  he  tuck'n  laugh  en 
laugh  twel  it  make  'im  sick  fer  ter  laugh." 


XLV 
BROTHER  WOLF  GETS  IN  A  WARM  PLACE 

THE  little  boy  thought  that  the  story  of  how  the  wild 
cat  scratched  Brother  Fox  was  one  of  the  best  stories  he 
had  ever  heard,  and  he  did  n't  hesitate  to  say  so.  His 


BROTHER  WOLF  IN  A  WARM  PLACE     269 

hearty  endorsement  increased  Uncle  Remus's  good- 
humor  ;  and  the  old  man,  with  a  broad  grin  upon  his 
features  and  something  of  enthusiasm  ;n  his  tone,  con 
tinued  to  narrate  the  adventures  of  Brother  Rabbit. 

"After  Brer  Fox  git  hurted  so  bad,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
putting  an  edge  upon  his  axe  with  a  whetstone  held  in  his 
hand,  "hit  wuz  a  mighty  long  time  'fo'  he  could  ramble 
'roun'  en  worry  ole  Brer  Rabbit.  Der  time  Cousin  Wild 
cat  fetch'd  'im  dat  wipe  'cross  de  stomach,  he  tuck'n  lay 
de  blame  on  Brer  Rabbit,  en  w'en  he  git  well,  he  des 
tuck'n  juggle  wid  de  yuther  creeturs,  en  dey  all  'gree  dat 
dem  en  Brer  Rabbit  can't  drink  out  er  de  same  branch, 
ner  walk  de  same  road,  ner  live  in  de  same  settlement, 
ner  go  in  washin'  in  de  same  wash-hole. 

"  Tooby  sho'  Brer  Rabbit  bleedz  ter  take  notice  er  all 
dish  yer  kinder  jugglements  en  gwines  on,  en  he  des  tuck'n 
strenken  he  house,  in  de  neighborhoods  er  de  winders, 
en  den  he  put  'im  up  a  steeple  on  top  er  dat.  Yasser! 
A  sho'  'nuff  steeple,  en  he  rise  'er  up  so  high  dat  folks 
gwine  'long  de  big  road  stop  en  say,  'Hey!  W'at  kinder 
meetin'-house  dat  ? ' ' 

The  little  boy  laughed  loudly  at  Uncle  Remus's  graphic 
delineation  of  the  astonishment  and  admiration  of  the 
passers-by.  The  old  man  raised  his  head,  stretched  his 
eyes,  and  seemed  to  be  looking  over  his  spectacles  right 
at  Brother  Rabbit's  steeple. 

"Folks  'ud  stop  en  ax,  but  Brer  Rabbit  aint  got  time 
fer  ter  make  no  answer.  He  hammer'd,  he  nailed,  he 
knock'd,  he  lamm'd!  Folks  go  by,  he  aint  look  up; 


270  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

creeturs  come  stan'  en  watch  'im,  he  aint  look  'roun'; 
wuk,  wuk,  wuk,  from  sun-up  ter  sundown,  twel  dat  ar 
steeple  git  done.  Den  ole  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  draw  long 
breff,  en  wipe  he  forrerd,  en  'low  dat  ef  dem  t'er  creeturs 
w'at  bin  atter  'im  so  long  is  got  any  de  'vantage  er  him, 
de  time  done  come  fer  um  fer  ter  show  it. 

"  Wid  dat  he  went  en  got  'im  a  snack  er  sump'n'  t'  eat, 
en  a  long  piece  er  plough-line,  en  he  tole  he  ole  'oman  fer 
ter  put  a  kittle  er  water  on  de  fire,  en  stan'  'roun'  close 
by,  en  eve'yt'ing  he  tell  'er  not  ter  do,  dat  de  ve'y  t'ing 
she  sho'ly  mus*  do.  Den  ole  Brer  Rabbit  sot  down  in 
he  rockin' -cheer  en  lookt  out  fum  de  steeple  fer  ter  see 
how  de  Ian'  lay. 

"'Twa'n't  long  'fo'  all  de  creeturs  year  talk  dat  Brer 
Rabbit  done  stop  wuk,  en  dey  'gun  ter  come  'roun'  fer 
ter  see  w'at  he  gwine  do  nex'.  But  Brer  Rabbit,  he  got 
up  dar,  he  did,  en  smoke  he  seegyar,  en  chaw  he  'backer, 
en  let  he  min'  run  on.  Brer  Wolf,  he  stan'  en  look  up  at 
de  steeple,  Brer  Fox,  he  stan'  en  look  up  at  it,  en  all  de 
t'er  creeturs  dey  done  de  same.  Nex'  time  you  see  a  crowd 
er  folks  lookin'  at  sump'n'  right  hard,  you  des  watch  um, 
honey.  Dey  '11  walk  'roun'  one  er  'n'er  en  swap  places,  en 
dey '11  be  constant  on  de  move.  Dat  des  de  way  de  cree 
turs  done.  Dey  walk  'roun'  en  punch  one  er  'n'er  en 
swap  places,  en  look  en  look.  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sot 
up  dar,  he  did,  en  chaw  he  'backer,  en  smoke  he  seegyar, 
en  let  he  min'  run  on. 

"Bimeby  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  come  'long,  en  ole  Brer 
Tarrypin  bin  in  cohoots  wid  Brer  Rabbit  so  long  dat  he 


BROTHER  WOLF  IN  A  WARM  PLACE    271 

des  nat'ally  know  dey  wuz  gwine  ter  be  fun  er  plenty 
'roun'  in  dem  neighborhoods  'fo'  de  sun  go  down.  He 
laugh  'way  down  und'  de  roof  er  he  house,  ole  Brer  Tar- 
rypin  did,  en  den  he  hail  Brer  Rabbit: 

"Heyo,  Brer  Rabbit!  W'at  you  doin'  'way  up  in  de 
elements  lak  dat  ? ' 

"I'm  a-sojourneyin'  up  yer  fer  ter  res'  myse'f,  Brer 
Tarrypin.  Drap  up  en  see  me.' 

'  'Twix'  you  en  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  de  drappin'  's  all  one 
way.  S'posin'  you  tu'n  loose  en  come.  Man  live  dat 
high  up  bleedz  ter  have  wings.  I  aint  no  high-flyer  my 
se'f.  I  fear'd  ter  shake  ban's  wid  you  so  fur  off,  Brer 
Rabbit.' 

"Not  so,  Brer  Tarrypin,  not  so.  My  sta'rcase  is  a 
mighty  limbersome  one,  en  I  '11  des  let  it  down  ter  you.' 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  let  down  de  plough-line. 

' '  Des  ketch  holt  er  dat,  Brer  Tarrypin,'  sez  Brer  Rab 
bit,  sezee,  'en  up  you  comes,  linktum  sinktum  binktum 
boo  /'  sezee." 

"  What  was  that,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  said  the  little  boy, 
taking  a  serious  view  of  the  statement. 

"  Creetur  talk,  honey  —  des  creetur  talk.  Bless  yo' 
soul,  chile!"  the  old  man  went  on,  with  a  laughable 
assumption  of  dignity,  "ef  you  think  I  got  time  fer  ter 
stop  right  short  off  en  stribbit 1  out  all  I  knows,  you  er 
mighty  much  mistaken  —  mighty  much  mistaken. 

"  Oie  Brer  Tarrypin  know  mighty  well  dat  Brer  Rabbit 
aint  got  nothin'  g'in'  'im,  yet  he  got  sech  a  habit  er  lookin' 
1  Distribute. 


272  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

out  fer  hisse'f  dat  he  tuck'n  ketch  de  plough-line  in  he 
mouf,  he  did,  en  try  de  strenk  un  it.  Ole  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  holler  '  Swing  on,  Brer  Tarrypin ! '  en  Brer  Tarrypin, 
he  tuck'n  swung  on,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  'uz  settin' 
up  dar  side  er  Brer  Rabbit. 

"But  I  wish  ter  goodness  you'd  'a'  bin  dar,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  very  gracefully  leaving  it  to  be  inferred 
that  he  was  there;  "  I  wish  ter  goodness  you  'd  'a'  bin  dar 
so  you  could  er  seed  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  w'iles  Brer  Rabbit 
'uz  haulin'  'im  up,  wid  he  tail  a-wigglin'  en  he  legs  all 
spraddled  out,  en  him  a-whirlin'  'roun'  en  'roun'  en  lookin' 
skeer'd. 

"De  t'er  creeturs  dey  see  Brer  Tarrypin  go  up  safe  en 
soun',  en  dey  see  de  vittles  passin'  'roun',  en  dey  'gun  ter 
feel  lak  dey  wanter  see  de  inside  er  Brer  Rabbit  steeple. 
Den  Brer  Wolf,  he  hail  'im: 

"'Heyo  dar,  Brer  Rabbit!  Youer  lookin'  mighty 
scrumptious  'way  up  dar !  How  you  come  on  ? ' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  look  down,  he  did,  en  he  see  who 
't  is  hollerin',  en  he  'spon': 

"'Po'ly,  mighty  po'ly,  but  I  thank  de  Lord  I'm  able 
to  eat  my  'lowance.1  Won't  you  drap  up,  Brer  Wolf?' 

"'Hit's  a  mighty  clumsy  journey  fer  ter  make,  Brer 
Rabbit,  yit  I  don't  keer  ef  I  does.' 

"Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  let  down  de  plough-line,  en 
Brer  Wolf  kotch  holt,  en  dey  'gun  ter  haul  'im  up.  Dey 
haul  en  dey  haul,  en  w'en  Brer  Wolf  git  mos'  ter  de  top 
he  year  Brer  Rabbit  holler  out : 

1  Allowance ;  ration. 


BROTHER  WOLF  IN  A  WARM  PLACE    273 

"'Stir  'roun',  ole  'oman,  en  set  de  table;  but  'fo'  you 
do  dat,  fetch  de  kittle  fer  ter  make  de  coffee/ 

"Dey  haul  en  dey  haul  on  de  plough-line,  en  Brer 
Wolf  year  Brer  Rabbit  squall  out : 

"'Watch  out  dar,  ole  'oman!  You'll  spill  dat  b'ilin' 
water  on  Brer  Wolf!' 

"En,  bless  yo'  soul!"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  turning 
half  around  in  his  chair  to  face  his  enthusiastic  audience 
of  one,  "dat  'uz  'bout  all  Brer  Wolf  did  year,  'kaze  de 
nex'  minit  down  come  de  scaldin'  water,  en  Brer  Wolf 
des  fetch  one  squall  en  turn't  hisse'f  aloose,  en  w'en  he 
strak  de  groun'  he  bounce  des  same  ez  one  er  deze  yer 
injun-rubber  balls  w'at  you  use  ter  play  wid  'long  in  dem 
times  'fo'  you  tuck'n  broke  yo'  mammy  lookin'-glass. 
Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  lean  fum  out  de  steeple  en  'pollygize 
de  bes'  he  kin,  but  no  'pollygy  aint  gwine  ter  make  ha'r 
'come  back  whar  de  b'ilin'  water  hit." 

"Did  they  spill  the  hot  water  on  purpose,  Uncle  Re 
mus  ?  "  the  little  boy  inquired. 

"  Now,  den,  honey,  youer  crowdin'  me.  Dem  ar  cree- 
turs  wuz  mighty  kuse  —  mo*  speshually  Brer  Rabbit. 
W'en  it  come  down  ter  dat,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  lowering 
his  voice  and  looking  very  grave,  "I  'speck  ef  youder 
s'arch  de  country  fum  hen-roost  to  river-bank,1  you  won't 
fine  a  no  mo'  kuser  man  dan  Brer  Rabbit.  All  I  knows 
is  dat  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarrypih  had  a  mighty  laughin* 
spell  des  'bout  de  time  Brer  Wolf  hit  de  groun'." 

1  Based  on  a  characteristic  negro  saying.  For  instance  :  "  Where  's  Jim  ?  " 
**  You  can't  keep  up  wid  dat  nigger.  Des  let  night  come,  en  he  's  runnin' 


274  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

XLVI 
BROTHER  WOLF  STILL  IN  TROUBLE 

"EN  still  we  er  by  ourse'fs,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus, 
as  the  little  boy  ran  into  his  cabin,  the  night  after  he  had 
heard  the  story  of  how  Brother  Rabbit  scalded  Brother 
Wolf.  "We  er  by  ourse'fs  en  time's  a-passin'.  Dem  ar 
folks  dunner  w'at  dey  er  missin'.  We  er  des  gittin'  ter  dat 
p'int  whar  we  kin  keep  de  run  er  creeturs,  en  it  keeps  us 
dat  busy  we  aint  got  time  fer  ter  bolt  our  vittles  skacely. 

"I  done  tell  you  'bout  Brer  Rabbit  makin'  'im  a  steeple; 
but  I  aint  tell  you  'bout  how  Brer  Rabbit  got  ole  Brer 
Wolf  out'n  er  mighty  bad  fix." 

"No,"  said  the  little  boy,  "you  have  n't,  and  that's  just 
what  I  have  come  for  now." 

Uncle  Remus  looked  at  the  rafters,  then  at  the  little 
boy,  and  finally  broke  into  a  loud  laugh. 

"I  'clar'  ter  goodness,"  he  exclaimed,  addressing  the 
imaginary  third  person  to  whom  he  related  the  most  of  his 
grievances,  "  I  'clar'  ter  goodness  ef  dat  ar  chile  aint  gittin' 
so  dat  he's  eve'y  whit  ez  up-en-spoken  ez  w'at  ole  Miss 
ever  bin.  Dat  he  is!" 

The  old  man  paused  long  enough  to  give  the  little  boy 
some  uneasiness,  and  then  continued : 

"Atter  ole  Brer  Wolf  git  de  nat'al  hide  tuck  off'n  'im  on 
de  'count  er  Brer  Rabbit  kittle,  co'se  he  hatter  go  'way  off 

fum  hen-roost  to  river-bank."  In  other  words,  stealing  chickens  and  rob 
bing  fish  baskets. 


BROTHER  WOLF  STILL  IN  TROUBLE     275 

by  hisse'f  fer  ter  let  de  ha'r  grow  out.  He  'uz  gone  so  long 
dat  Brer  Rabbit  sorter  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  'speck  he 
kin  come  down  out'n  he  steeple,  en  sorter  rack  'roun* 
in  lings  de  t'er  creeturs. 

"  He  sorter  primp  up,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en  den  he  start 
out  'pun  he  journeys  hether  en  yan.1  He  tuck'n  went  ter 
de  cross-roads,  en  dar  he  stop  en  choose  'im  a  road.  He 
choose  'im  a  road,  he  did,  en  den  he  put  out  des  lak  he 
bin  sent  fer  in  a  hurry. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  gallop  on,  he  did,  talkin'  en  laughin'  wid 
hisse'f,  en  eve'y  time  he  pass  folks,  he'd  tu'n  it  off  en 
make  lak  he  singin'.  He  'uz  gwine  on  dis  a-way,  w'en  fus' 
news  you  know  he  tuck'n  year  sump'n'.  He  stop  talkin'  en 
'gun  ter  hum  a  chune,  but  he  aint  meet  nobody.  Den  he 
stop  en  lissen  en  he  year  sump'n'  holler: 

" '  O  Lordy !  Lordy !  Won't  somebody  come  he'p  me  ?  " 

The  accent  of  grief  and  despair  and  suffering  that 
Uncle  Remus  managed  to  throw  into  this  supplication  was 
really  harrowing. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  year  dis,  en  he  stop  en  lissen.  'T  wa'n't 
long  'fo'  sump'n'  n'er  holler  out: 

"'O  Lordy,  Lordy!  Please,  somebody,  come  en  he'p 
me.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  h'ist  up  he  years,  he  did,  en  make 
answer  back: 

( '  W^ho  is  you,  nohow,  en  w'at  de  name  er  goodness  de 
marter  ? ' 

" '  Please,  somebody,  do  run  yer ! ' 

1  Hither  and  yon. 


276  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  stan'  on  th'ee  legs  fer  ter  make 
sho'  er  gittin'  a  good  start  ef  dey  'uz  any  needs  im  it,  en 
he  holler  back : 

" '  Whar'bouts  is  you,  en  how  come  you  dar  ? ' 

"'Do  please,  somebody,  run  yer  en  h'ep  a  po'  mizer- 
bul  creetur.  I'm  down  yer  in  de  big  gully  und'  dish  yer 
great  big  rock.' 

"  Ole  Brer  Rabbit  bleedz  ter  be  mighty  'tickler  in  dem 
days,  en  he  crope  down  ter  de  big  gully  en  look  in,  en 
who  de  name  er  goodness  you  'speck  he  seed  down  dar  ? " 

Uncle  Remus  paused  and  gave  the  little  boy  a  look  of 
triumph,  and  then  proceeded  without  waiting  for  a  reply: 

"Nobody  in  de  roun'  worl'  but  dat  ar  ole  Brer  Wolf 
w'at  Brer  Rabbit  done  bin  scalted  de  week  'fo'  dat.  He 
'uz  layin'  down  dar  in  de  big  gully,  en,  bless  gracious! 
'pun  top  un  'im  wuz  a  great  big  rock,  en  ef  you  want  ter 
know  de  reason  dat  ar  great  big  rock  aint  teetotally  kilt 
Brer  Wolf,  den  you'll  hatter  ax  some  un  w'at  know  mo' 
'bout  it  dan  w'at  I  does,  'kaze  hit  look  lak  ter  me  dat  it  des 
oughter  mash  'im  flat. 

"Yit  dar  he  wuz,  en  let  'lone  bein'  kilt,  he  got  strenk 
'nuff  lef  fer  ter  make  folks  year  'im  holler  a,  mile  off,  en 
he  holler  so  lonesome  dat  it  make  Brer  Rabbit  feel  mighty 
sorry,  en  no  sooner  is  he  feel  sorry  dan  he  hoi'  he  coat- 
tails  out  de  way  en  slid  down  de  bank  fer  ter  see  w'at  he 
kin  do. 

"  W'en  he  git  down  dar  Brer  Wolf  ax  'im  please,  sir, 
kin  he  he'p  'im  wid  de  removance  er  dat  ar  rock,  en  Brer 
Rabbit  'low  he  'speck  he  kin;  en  wid  dat  Brer  Wolf  holler 


BROTHER  WOLF  STILL  IN  TROUBLE    277 

en  tell  'im  fer  mussy  sake  won't  he  whirl  in  en  do  it,  w'ich 
Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  ketch  holt  er  de  rock  en  hump  hisse'f, 
en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  git  a  purchis  on  it,  en,  bless  yo' 
soul,  he  lif  'er  up  des  lak  nigger  at  de  log-rollin'. 

"  Hit  tu'n  out  dat  Brer  Wolf  aint  hurted  much,  en  w'en 
he  fine  dis  out,  he  tuck'n  tuck  a  notion  dat  ef  he  ev'  gwine 
git  he  revengeance  out'n  Brer  Rabbit,  right  den  wuz  de 
time,  en  no  sooner  does  dat  come  'cross  he  min'  dan  he 
tuck'n  grab  Brer  Rabbit  by  de  nap  er  de  neck  en  de  small 
er  de  back. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  he  kick  en  squeal,  but  't  aint  do  no  man 
ner  er  good,  'kaze  de  mo'  w'at  he  kick  de  mo'  tighter  Brer 
Wolf  clamp  'im,  w'ich  he  squoze  'im  so  hard  dat  Brer  Rab 
bit  wuz  fear'd  he  'uz  gwine  ter  cut  off  he  breff.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  'low: 

" ' Well,  den,  Brer  Wolf!  Is  dish  yer  de  way  you  thanks 
folks  fer  savin'  yo'  life  ? ' 

"Brer  Wolf  grin  big,  en  den  he  up'n  'low: 

"'I'll  thank  you,  Brer  Rabbit,  en  den  I'll  make  fresh 
meat  out'n  you.' 

"Brer  Rabbit  'low,  he  did: 

" '  Ef  you  talk  dat  a- way,  Brer  Wolf,  I  never  is  to  do  yer 
'n'er  good  turn  w'iles  I  live.' 

"Brer  Wolf,  he  grin  some  mo'  en  'low: 

"'Dat  you  won't,  Brer  Rabbit,  dat  you  won't!  You 
won't  do  me  no  mo'  good  turn  tel  you  er  done  dead.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  study  ter  hisse'f,  he  did,  en  den 
he  'low: 

"'WThar  I  come  fum,  Brer  Wolf,  hit's  agin'  de  law  fer 


278  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

folks  fer  to  kill  dem  w'at  done  done  um  a  good  turn,  en  I 
'speck  hit 's  de  law  right  'roun'  yer.' 

"  Brer  Wolf  say  he  aint  so  mighty  sho'  'bout  dat.  Brer 
Rabbit  say  he  willin'  fer  ter  lef  de  whole  case  wid  Brer 
Tarrypin,  en  Brer  Wolf  say  he  'gree'ble. 

<4Wid  dat,  dey  put  out,  dey  did,  en  make  der  way  ter 
whar  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  stay  ;  en  w'en  dey  git  dar,  Brer 
Wolf  he  tuck'n  tell  he  side,  en  den  Brer  Rabbit  he  tuck'n 
tell  he  side.  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  put  on  he  specks  en  cle'r 
up  he  th'oat,  en  den  he  'low: 

' '  Dey  's  a  mighty  heap  er  mixness  in  dish  yer  'spute, 
en  'fo'  I  kin  take  any  sides  you  '11  des  hatter  kyar  me  fer 
ter  see  de  place  whar'bouts  Brer  Wolf  wuz  w'en  Brer 
Rabbit  foun'  'im,'  sezee. 

"  Sho'  'nuff ,  dey  tuck'n  kyar'd  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  down 
de  big  road  twel  dey  come  ter  de  big  gully,  en  den  dey 
tuck  'im  ter  whar  Brer  Wolf  got  kotch  und'  de  big  rock. 
Ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  walk  'roun',  he  did,  en  poke  at  de 
place  wid  de  een'  er  he  cane.  Bimeby  he  shuck  he  head, 
he  did,  en  'low: 

" '  I  hates  might'ly  fer  ter  put  you  all  gents  ter  so  much 
trouble ;  yit,  dey  aint  no  two  ways,  I  '11  hatter  see  des  how 
Brer  Wolf  was  kotch,  en  des  how  de  rock  wuz  layin'  'pun 
top  un  'im,'  sezee.  '  De  older  folks  gits,  de  mo'  trouble 
dey  is,'  sezee,  '  en  I  aint  'nyin'  but  w'at  I  'm  a-ripenin'  mo' 
samer  dan  a  'simmon  w'at's  bin  strucken  wid  de  fros',' 
sezee. 

"  Den  Brer  Wolf,  he  tuck'n  lay  down  whar  he  wuz  w'en 
Brer  Rabbit  foun'  'im,  en  de  yuthers  dey  up'n  roll  de  rock 


BROTHER  WOLF  STILL  IN  TROUBLE    279 

'pun  top  un  'im.  Dey  roll  de  rock  'pun  'im,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  looking  over  his  spectacles  to  see  what 
effect  the  statement  had  on  the  little  boy,  "  en  dar  he  wuz. 
Brer  Tarrypin,  he  walk  all  'roun'  en  'roun',  en  look  at  'im. 
Den  he  sot  down,  he  did,  en  make  marks  in  de  san'  wid 
he  cane  lak  he  studyin'  'bout  sump'n'  n'er.  Bimeby,  Brer 
Wolf,  he  open  up : 

"Ow,  Brer  Tarrypin!  Dish  yer  rock  gittin'  mighty 
heavy ! ' 

"Brer  Tarrypin,  he  mark  in  de  san',  en  study,  en  study. 
Brer  Wolf  holler: 

' '  Ow,  Brer  Tarrypin !  Dish  yer  rock  mashin'  de  breff 
out'n  me.' 

"Brer  Tarrypin,  he  r'ar  back,  he  did,  en  he  'low,  sezee: 

"Brer  Rabbit,  you  wuz  in  de  wrong.  You  aint  had 
no  business  fer  ter  come  bodderin'  'longer  Brer  Wolf 
w'en  he  aint  bodderin'  'longer  you.  He  'uz  'ten'in'  ter 
he  own  business  en  you  oughter  bin  'ten'in'  ter  yone.' 

"Dis  make  Brer  Rabbit  look  'shame'  er  hisse'f,  but 
Brer  Tarrypin  talk  right  erlong: 

;' W'en  you  'uz  gwine  down  dish  yer  road  dis  mawnin', 
you  sho'ly  mus'  bin  a-gwine  som'ers.  Ef  you  wuz  gwine 
som'ers  you  better  be  gwine  on.  Brer  Wolf,  he  wa'n't 
gwine  nowhars  den,  en  he  aint  gwine  nowhars  now.  You 
foun'  'im  und'  dat  ar  rock,  en  und'  dat  ar  rock  you  lef 
'im.' 

"En,  bless  gracious!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  "dem 
ar  creeturs  racked  off  fum  dar  en  lef  ole  Brer  Wolf  und' 
dat  ar  rock." 


280  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

XLVII 

BROTHER  RABBIT  LAYS  IN  HIS  BEEF 
SUPPLY 

"I  WONDER  where  Daddy  Jack  is,"  said  the  little  boy, 
one  night  after  he  had  been  waiting  for  some  time  for 
Uncle  Remus  to  get  leisure  to  tell  him  a  story. 

Uncle  Remus,  who  was  delightfully  human  in  his  hypo 
crisy,  as  well  as  in  other  directions,  leaned  back  in  his 
chair,  looked  at  the  little  boy  with  an  air  of  grieved  re 
signation,  and  said: 

"  I  boun'  you  does,  honey,  I  boun'  you  does.  Ole  Brer 
Jack  look  mighty  weazly  ter  de  naked  eye,  but  I  lay  he 's 
a  lots  mo'  likelier  nigger  dan  w'at  ole  Remus  is.  De  time 
done  gone  by  w'en  a  po'  ole  no-'count  nigger  lak  me  kin 
hoi'  he  han'  wid  a  bran  new  nigger  man  lak  Brer  Jack." 

The  child  stared  at  Uncle  Remus  with  open-eyed  as 
tonishment. 

"  Now,  Uncle  Remus !  I  did  n't  mean  that ;  you  know 
I  did  n't,"  he  exclaimed. 

"Bless  yo'  heart,  honey!  hit  don't  pester  me.  I  done 
got  de  speunce  un  it.  Dat  I  is.  Plough-hoss  don't  squeal 
en  kick  w'en  dey  puts  'n'er  hoss  in  he  place.  Brer  Jack 
got  de  age  on  'im  but  he  new  ter  you.  Ole  er  young,  folks 
is  folks,  en  no  longer  'n  day  'fo'  yistiddy,  I  year  you  brag- 
gin'  'bout  how  de  vittles  w'at  dey  feeds  you  on  up  at  de 
big  house  aint  good  ez  de  vittles  w'at  yuther  childun  gits. 
Nummine  ole  Remus,  honey;  you  en  Brer  Jack  des  go 


BRO.  RABBIT  LAYS  IN  HIS  BEEF  SUPPLY   281 

right  erlong  en  I'll  be  much  'blige  ef  you'll  des  lemme 
set  in  de  cornder  yer  en  chunk  de  fier.  Sho'ly  I  aint  pas' 
doin'  dat." 

The  child  was  troubled  to  think  that  Uncle  Remus 
should  find  it  necessary  to  depreciate  himself,  and  he 
made  haste  to  explain  his  position. 

"  I  thought  that  if  Daddy  Jack  was  here  he  could  tell 
me  a  story  while  you  are  working,  so  you  would  n't  be 
bothered." 

A  broad  grin  of  appreciation  spread  over  Uncle  Remus's 
face.  He  adjusted  his  spectacles,  looked  around  and  be 
hind  him,  and  then,  seeing  no  one  but  the  child,  addressed 
himself  to  the  rafters  and  cobwebs : 

"Well!  well!  well!  ef  dish  yer  don't  beat  all !  Genter- 
mens!  dish  yer  little  chap  yer,  he  puny  in  de  legs,  yit  he 
mighty  strong  in  de  head." 

He  paused,  as  if  reflecting  over  the  whole  matter,  and 
then  turned  to  the  child : 

"  Is  dat  w'at  make  you  hone  atter  Daddy  Jack,  honey  — 
des  'kaze  you  wanter  set  back  dar  en  lissen  at  a  tale? 
Now,  den,  ef  you  had  n't  'a'  got  me  off'n  de  track,  you  'd 
'a'  bin  settin'  yer  lis'nen  at  one  uri  um  dis  blessid  minnit, 
'kaze  des  time  I  year  talk  dat  Mars  John  gwine  ter  have 
dat  ar  long-hornded  steer  kilt  fer  beef,  hit  come  'cross 
my  min'  'bout  de  time  w'ence  Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Fox 
j'ined  in  wid  one  er  'n'er  en  kilt  a  cow." 

"  Killed  a  cow,  Uncle  Remus  ? " 

"  Des  ez  sho'  ez  youer  settin'  dar,"  replied  the  old  man 
with  emphasis.  "  Look  lak  dey  wa'n't  no  kinder  doin's 


282  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

w'at  dem  ar  creeturs  wa'n't  up  ter,  mo'  speshually  ole  Brer 
Rabbit.  Day  in  en  day  out,  fum  mawnin'  twel  night  en 
fum  night  twel  mawnin',  he  'uz  constant  a-studyin'  up 
some  bran  new  kinder  contrapshun  fer  ter  let  de  yuther 
creeturs  know  he  5uz  some'rs  in  de  neighborhoods. 

"  Come  down  ter  dat,  you  kin  b'leeve  me  er  not  b'leeve 
me,  des  ez  you  er  min'  ter;  you  kin  take  yo'  choosement; 
but  ole  Brer  Rabbit  en  ole  Brer  Fox,  spite  er  dey  fallin5 
out,  dey  tuck'n  go  inter  cahoots  en  kilt  a  cow.  Seem  lak 
I  disremember  who  de  cow  b'long  ter,"  continued  the  old 
man,  frowning  thoughtfully,  and  thus,  by  a  single  stroke, 
imparting  an  air  of  reality  to  the  story;  "but  she  sho'ly 
b'long'd  ter  some  er  de  neighbors,  'kaze  you  kin  des  put  it 
down,  right  pine-blank,  dat  Brer  Rabbit  aint  gwine  ter 
kill  he  own  cow,  en  needer  is  Brer  Fox. 

"  Well,  den,  dey  tuck'n  kilt  a  cow,  en  't  wa'n't  dey  own 
cow,  en  atter  dey  done  skunt  'er  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  'low, 
he  did,  dat  ef  Brer  Fox  wanter  git  de  good  er  de  game, 
he  better  run  home  en  fetch  a  tray  er  sump'n'  fer  put  de 
jiblets  in." 

"Jiblets,  Uncle  Remus?" 

"Tooby  sho',  honey.  Dats  w'at  we-all  calls  de  liver, 
de  lights,  de  heart,  en  de  melt.  Some  calls  um  jiblets  en 
some  calls  um  hasletts,  but  ef  you'll  lemme  take  um  en 
kyar  um  home,  you  kin  des  up  en  call  um  mos'  by  any 
name  w'at  creep  inter  yo'  min'.  You  do  de  namin',"  the 
old  man  went  on,  smacking  his  lips  suggestively,  "en  I'll 
do  de  eatin',  en  ef  I'm  de  loser,  I  boun'  you  won't  year 
no  complaints  fum  me. 


BRO.  RABBIT  LAYS  IN  HIS  BEEF  SUPPLY    283 

"  But,  law  bless  me !  w'at  is  I  'm  a-doin'  ?  De  time  's  a- 
passin',  en  I'm  aint  skacely  got  start  on  de  tale.  Dey  kilt 
de  cow,  dey  did,  en  Brer  Rabbit  tell  Brer  Fox  'bout  de 
jiblets,  en  w'iles  Brer  Fox  gwine  on  home  atter  de  bucket 
fer  ter  put  um  in,  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  Brer  Rabbit  aint 
bad  ez  he  crackt  up  ter  be.  But  no  sooner  is  Brer  Fox 
outer  sight  dan  Brer  Rabbit  cut  out  de  jiblets,  he  did,  en 
kyar'd  um  off  en  hide  um.  Den  he  come  back  en  tuck  a 
piece  er  de  meat  en  drap  blood  'way  off  de  udder  way. 

"  Bimeby  yer  come  Brer  Fox  wid  he  bucket,  en  w'en 
he  git  dar  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  settin'  down  cryin'.  Mon,  he 
'uz  des  a-boohooin'.  Brer  Fox,  he  'low: 

*  *  Name  er  goodness,  Brer  Rabbit !  w'at  de  marter  ? ' 
"Nuff  de  marter — 'nuff  de  marter.    I  wish  you'd 'a' 
stayed  yer  w'iles  you  wuz  yer  —  dat  I  does,  Brer  Fox!' 

'  *  How  come,  Brer  Rabbit,  —  how  come  ? ' 

" '  Man  come,  Brer  Fox,  en  stole  all  yo'  nice  jiblets.  I 
bin  a-runnin'  atter  'im,  Brer  Fox,  but  he  outrun  me.' 

" '  W'ich  a-way  he  go,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 

'  Yer  de  way  he  went,  Brer  Fox ;  yer  whar  he  drap  de 
blood.    Ef  you  be  right  peart,  Brer  Fox,  you'll  ketch  'im.' 

"  Brer  Fox  he  drapt  de  bucket,  he  did,  en  put  out  atter 
de  man  w'at  tuck  de  jiblets,  en  he  wa'n't  out'n  sight  good, 
'fo'  ole  Brer  Rabbit  sail  in  en  cut  out  all  de  fat  en  taller, 
en  kyar'  it  off  en  hide  it.  Atter  w'ile,  yer  come  Brer  Fox 
back  des  a-puffm'  en  a-pantin'.  He  aint  see  no  man. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  hail  'im: 

" '  You  aint  come  a  minnit  too  soon,  Brer  Fox,  dat  you 
aint.  W'iles  you  bin  gone  'n'er  man  come  'long  en  kyar'd 


284  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

off  all  de  taller  en  fat.  He  went  right  off  dat  a-way,  Brer 
Fox,  en  ef  you  '11  be  right  peart,  you  '11  ketch  'im.* 

"Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n  put  out,  he  did,  en  run,  en  run, 
yit  he  aint  see  no  man.  Wiles  he  done  gone  Brer  Rabbit 
kyar  off  one  er  de  behime  quarters.  Brer  Fox  come  back ; 
he  aint  see  no  man.  Brer  Rabbit  holler  en  tell  'im  dat  'ne'r 
man  done  come  en  got  a  behime  quarter  en  run'd  off  wid  it. 

"  Brer  Fox  sorter  study  'bout  dis,  'kaze  it  look  lak  no 
body  yuver  see  de  like  er  mens  folks  passin'  by  dat  one 
lonesome  cow.  He  make  out  he  gwine  ter  run  atter  de 
man  w'at  steal  de  behime  quarter,  but  he  aint  git  fur  'fo' 
he  tuck'n  tu'n  'roun'  en  crope  back,  en  he  'uz  des  in  time 
fer  ter  see  Brer  Rabbit  makin'  off  wid  de  yuther  behime 
quarter.  Brer  Fox  mighty  tired  wid  runnin'  hether  en  yan, 
en  backards  en  forrerds,  but  he  git  so  mad  w'en  he  see 
Brer  Rabbit  gwine  off  dat  a-way,  dat  he  dash  up  en  ax  'im 
whar  is  he  gwine  wid  dat  ar  beef. 

"Brer  Rabbit  lay  de  beef  down,  he  did,  en  look  lak  he 
feelin's  hurted.  He  look  at  Brer  Fox  lak  he  feel  mighty 
sorry  fer  folks  w'at  kin  ax  foolish  questions  lak  dat.  He 
shake  he  head,  he  did,  en  'low: 

"  *  Well,  well,  well !  Who  'd  V  thunk  dat  Brer  Fox  would 
'a'  come  axin'  me  'bout  dish  yer  beef,  w'ich  anybody 
would  er  know'd  I  'uz  a-kyar'n  off  fer  ter  save  fer  'im,  so 
nobody  could  n't  git  it  ? ' 

"But  dish  yer  kinder  talk  don't  suit  Brer  Fox,  en  he 
tuck'n  make  a  motion  'zef  l  ter  ketch  Brer  Rabbit,  but  Brer 
Rabbit  he  'gun  'im  leg  bail,  en  dar  dey  had  it  thoo  de 

1  As  if. 


BRO.  RABBIT  LAYS  IN  HIS  BEEF  SUPPLY    285 

woods  twel  Brer  Rabbit  come  'pon  a  holler  tree,  en  inter 
dat  he  went,  des  lak  one  er  deze  streaked  lizzuds  goes 
inter  a  hole  in  de  san'. " 

"  And  then,"  said  the  little  boy,  as  Uncle  Remus  paused, 
"along  came  Brother  Buzzard,  and  Brother  Fox  set  him 
to  watch  the  hole,  and  Brother  Rabbit  said  he  had  found 
a  fat  squirrel  which  he  would  run  out  on  the  other  side; 
and  then  he  came  out  and  ran  home." 

This  was  the  climax  of  a  story  that  Uncle  Remus  had 
told  a  long  time  before,  and  he  looked  at  his  little  partner 
with  astonishment  not  unmixed  with  admiration. 

"  I  'clar'  ter  gracious,  honey ! "  he  exclaimed,  "  ef  you 
hoi's  on  ter  yo'  pra'rs  lak  you  does  ter  deze  yer  tales 
youer  doin'  mighty  well.  But  don't  you  try  der  hoi'  Brer 
Rabbit  down  ter  one  trick,  you  won't  never  keep  up  wid 
'im  in  de  'roun'  worl'  —  dat  you  won't. 

"  Ole  Brer  Buzzard  wuz  dar,  en  Brer  Fox  ax  'im  fer  ter 
watch  de  hole,  but  he  aint  bin  dar  long  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit 
sing  out: 

"'I  got  de  'vantage  un  you,  dis  whet,  Brer  Buzzard,  I 
sho'ly  is.' 

"'How  dat,  Brer  Rabbit?' 

""Kaze  I  kin  see  you,  en  you  can't  see  me.' 

"Wid  dat  Brer  Buzzard  stuck  he  head  in  de  hole,  en 
look  up ;  en  no  sooner  is  he  do  dis  dan  Brer  Rabbit  fill  he 
eyes  full  er  san',  en  w'iles  he  gone  ter  de  branch  fer  ter 
wash  it  out,  Brer  Rabbit  he  come  down  outer  de  holler, 
en  went  back  ter  whar  de  cow  wuz ;  en  mo'  dan  dat,  Brer 
Rabbit  got  de  ballunce  un  de  beef." 


286  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

XLVIII 
BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MR.  WILDCAT 

"  UNCLE  REMUS,"  said  the  little  boy,  after  a  pause,  "  where 
did  Brother  Rabbit  go  when  he  got  out  of  the  hollow 
tree?" 

"Well,  sir,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  "you  aint  gwine 
ter  b'leeve  me,  skacely,  but  dat  owdashus  creetur  aint 
no  sooner  git  out  er  dat  ar  tree  dan  he  go  en  git  hisse'f 
mix  up  wid  some  mo'  trouble,  w'ich  he  git  mighty  nigh 
skeer'd  out'n  he  skin. 

"W'en  Brer  Rabbit  git  out'n  de  holler  tree,  he  tuck'n 
fling  some  sass  back  at  ole  Brer  Buzzard,  he  did,  en  den 
he  put  out  down  de  big  road,  stidder  gwine  'long  back 
home  en  see  'bout  he  fambly.  He  'uz  gwine  'long  — 
lickety-clickety,  clickety-lickety  —  w'en  f us'  news  you  know 
he  feel  sump'n'  'n'er  drap  down  'pun  'im,  en  dar  he  wuz. 
Bless  yo'  soul,  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  kin  git  he  'membunce 
terge'er,  he  feel  ole  Mr.  Wildcat  a-huggin'  'im  fum  be- 
hime,  en  w'ispun  in  he  year." 

"What  did  he  whisper,  Uncle  Remus?"  asked  the 
little  boy. 

"Dis,  dat.  en  de  udder,  one  thing  en  a  nudder." 

"But  what  did  he  say?" 

"De  way  un  it  wuz  dis,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  ignoring 
the  child's  question,  "  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'uz  gallin-up  down 
de  road,  en  ole  Mr.  Wildcat,  he  'uz  layin'  stretch'  out 
takin'  a  nap  on  a  tree-lim'  hangin'  'crosst  de  road.  He 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MR.  WILDCAT    287 

year  Brer  Rabbit  come  a-lickity-clickitin'  down  de  road, 
en  he  des  sorter  fix  hisse'f,  en  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  come 
a-dancin'  und'  de  Km',  all  Mr.  Wildcat  got  ter  do  is 
ter  drap  right  down  on  'im,  en  dar  he  wuz.  Mr.  Wild 
cat  hug  'im  right  up  at  'im,  en  laugh  en  w'isper  hi  he 
year." 

"  Well,  Uncle  Remus,  what  did  he  say  ? "  persisted 
the  little  boy. 

The  old  man  made  a  sweeping  gesture  with  his  left 
hand  that  might  mean  everything  or  nothing,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  tell  the  story  in  his  own  way. 

"  Ole  Mr.  Wildcat  hug  Brer  Rabbit  up  close  en  w'isper 
in  he  year.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  kick,  he  squall.  Bimeby  he 
ketch  he  breff  en  'low: 

( f  Ow !  O  Lordy-lordy !  W'at  I  done  gone  en  done 
now  ?' 

"  Mr.  Wildcat,  he  rub  he  wet  nose  on  Brer  Rabbit  year, 
en  make  cole  chill  run  up  he  back.  Bimeby  he  say: 

"'O  Brer  Rabbit,  I  des  nat'ally  loves  you!  You  bin 
a-foolin'  all  er  my  cousins  en  all  er  my  kinfolks,  en  't  aint 
bin  so  mighty  long  sence  you  set  Cousin  Fox  on  me,  en 
little  mo'  en  I  'd  a-to'  'im  in  two.  O  Brer  Rabbit !  I  des 
nat'ally  loves  you,'  sezee. 

"Den  he  laugh,  en  he  toofs  strak  terge'er  right  close 
ter  Brer  Rabbit  year.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low,  he  did  : 

'  *  Law,  Mr.  Wildcat,  I  thunk  maybe  you  mought  lak 
ter  have  Brer  Fox  fer  supper,  en  dat  de  reason  I  sent  'im 
up  ter  whar  you  is.  Hit  done  come  ter  mighty  purty  pass 
w'en  folks  can't  be  fr'en's  'ceppin'  sump'n'  'n'er  step  in 


288  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

'twix'  en  'tween  um,  en  ef  dat  de  case  I  aint  gwine  ter 
be  fr'en's  no  mo'  —  dat  I  aint.' 

"Mr.  Wildcat  wipe  he  nose  on  Brer  Rabbit  year,  en 
he  do  sorter  lak  he  studyin'.  Brer  Rabbit  he  keep  on 
talkin'.  He  'low: 

"'Endurin'  er  all  dis  time,  is  I  ever  pester  'long  wid 
you,  Mr.  Wildcat  ? ' 

"No,  Brer  Rabbit,  I  can't  say  ez  you  is.' 

"'No,  Mr.  Wildcat,  dat  I  aint.  Let  'lone  dat,  I  done 
my  level  bes'  fer  ter  he'p  you  out.  En  dough  you  done 
jump  on  me  en  skeer  me  scan'lous,  yit  I'm  willin'  ter  do 
you  'n'er  good  tu'n.  I  year  some  wild  turkeys  yelpin'  out 
yan',  en  ef  you  '11  des  lem  me  off  dis  time,  I  '11  go  out  dar 
en  call  um  up,  en  you  kin  make  lak  you  dead,  en  dey'll 
come  up  en  stretch  dey  neck  over  you,  en  you  kin  jump 
up  en  kill  a  whole  passel  un  um  'fo'  dey  kin  git  out  de 
way.' 

"  Mr.  Wildcat  stop  en  study,  'kaze  ef  dey  er  one  kinder 
meat  w'at  he  lak  dat  meat  is  turkey  meat.  Den  he  tuck'n 
ax  Brer  Rabbit  is  he  jokin'.  Brer  Rabbit  say  ef  he  'uz 
settin'  off  some'rs  by  he  own-'lone  se'f  he  mought  be 
jokin',  but  how  de  name  er  goodness  is  he  kin  joke  w'en 
Mr.  Wildcat  got  'im  hug  up  so  tight  ?  Dis  look  so  pleezy- 
plozzy  l  dat  't  wa'n't  long  'f o'  Mr.  Wildcat  'low  dat  he 
'uz  mighty  willin'  ef  Brer  Rabbit  mean  w'at  he  say,  en 
atter  w'ile,  bless  yo'  soul,  ef  you  'd  'a'  come  'long  dar, 
you'd  er  seed  ole  Mr.  Wildcat  layin'  stretch  out  on  de 

1  No  doubt  this  means  that  Brother  Rabbit's  proposition  was  pleasant 
and  plausible. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  AND  MR.  WILDCAT    289 

groun'  lookin'  fer  all  de  wul'  des  lak  he  done  bin  dead  a 
mont',  en  you'd  er  yeard  ole  Brer  Rabbit  a-yelpin'  out 
in  de  bushes  des  lak  a  sho'  'nuff  tukky-hen." 

The  little  boy  was  always  anxious  for  a  practical  demon 
stration,  and  he  asked  Uncle  Remus  how  Brother  Rabbit 
could  yelp  like  a  turkey-hen.  For  reply,  Uncle  Remus 
searched  upon  his  rude  mantel-piece  until  he  found  a 
reed,  which  he  intended  to  use  as  a  pipe-stem.  One  end 
of  this  he  placed  in  his  mouth,  enclosing  the  other  in  his 
hands.  By  sucking  the  air  through  the  reed  with  his 
mouth,  and  regulating  the  tone  and  volume  by  opening  or 
closing  his  hands,  the  old  man  was  able  to  produce  a 
marvellous  imitation  of  the  call  of  the  turkey-hen,  much 
to  the  delight  and  astonishment  of  the  little  boy. 

"Ah,  Lord!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus,  after  he  had 
repeated  the  call  until  the  child  was  satisfied,  "  manys 
en  manys  de  time  is  I  gone  out  in  de  woods  wid  old  mars- 
ter  'fo'  de  crack  er  day  en  call  de  wile  turkeys  right  spang 
up  ter  whar  we  could  er  kilt  um  wid  a  stick.  Wen  we  fus' 
move  yer  fum  Ferginny,  dey  use  ter  come  right  up  ter 
whar  de  barn  sets,  en  mo'n  dat  I  done  seed  ole  marster 
kill  um  right  out  dar  by  de  front  gate.  But  folks  fum 
town  been  comin'  'roun'  yer  wid  der  p'inter  dogs  twel 
hit  done  got  so  dat  ef  you  wanter  see  turkey  track  you 
gotter  go  down  dar  ter  de  Oconee,  en  dat's  two  mile  off." 

"  Did  the  Wildcat  catch  the  turkeys  ? "  the  little  boy 
inquired,  when  it  seemed  that  Uncle  Remus  was  about 
to  give  his  entire  attention  to  his  own  reminiscences. 

"  De  gracious  en  de  goodness ! "   exclaimed  the  old  man. 


290  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Yer  I  is  runnin'  on  en  dar  lays  Mr.  Wildcat  waitin' 
fer  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  yelp  dem  turkeys  up.  En  'taint 
take  'im  long  nudder,  'kaze,  bless  yo'  soul,  ole  Brer  Rab 
bit  wuz  a  yelper,  mon. 

"  Sho'  'nuff,  atter  w'ile  yer  dey  come,  ole  Brer  Gibley 
Gobbler  wukkin'  in  de  lead.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  run'd  en 
meet  um  en  gun  um  de  wink  'bout  ole  Mr.  Wildcat,  en 
by  de  time  dey  git  up  ter  whar  he  layin',  Brer  Gibley 
Gobbler  en  all  his  folks  wuz  jined  in  a  big  'spute.  One 
'low  he  dead,  'n'er  one  'low  he  aint,  'n'er  one  'low  he  stiff, 
udder  one  'low  he  aint,  en  t'udder  'low  he  is.  So  dar  dey 
had  it.  Dey  stretch  out  dey  neck  en  step  high  wid  dey 
foot,  yit  dey  aint  git  too  close  ter  Mr.  Wildcat. 

"He  lay  dar,  he  did,  en  he  aint  move.  Win'  ruffle  up 
he  ha'r,  yit  he  aint  move  ;  sun  shine  down  'pun  'im,  yit 
he  aint  move.  De  turkeys  dey  gobble  en  dey  yelp,  but 
dey  aint  go  no  nigher  ;  dey  holler  en  dey  'spute,  but  dey 
aint  go  no  nigher  ;  dey  stretch  dey  neck  en  dey  lif  dey 
foot  high,  yit  dey  aint  go  no  nigher. 

"Hit  keep  on  dis  a-way,  twel  bimeby  Mr.  Wildcat  git 
tired  er  waitin',  en  he  jump  up,  he  did,  en  make  a  dash 
at  de  nighest  turkey;  but  dat  turkey  done  fix,  en  w'en 
Mr.  Wildcat  come  at  'im,  he  des  riz  in  de  a'r,  en  Mr. 
Wildcat  run  und'  'im.  Den  he  tuck'n  run  at  'n'er  one,  en 
dat  un  fly  up;  en  dey  keep  on  dat  a-way  twel  'twa'n't 
long  'fo'  Mr.  Wildcat  wuz  so  stiff  in  de  j'ints  en  so  short 
in  de  win'  dat  he  des  hatter  lay  down  on  de  groun'  en  res', 
en  w'en  he  do  dis,  ole  Brer  Gibley  Gobbler  en  all  er  he 
folks  went  on  'bout  dey  own  business;  but  sence  dat  day 


MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  DEFENDS  HIMSELF    291 

deyer  constant  a-'sputin'  'long  wid  deyse'f  en  eve'ybody 
w'at  come  by.  Ef  you  don't  b'leeve  me,"  with  an  air  of 
disposing  of  the  whole  matter  judicially,  "you  kin  des 
holler  at  de  fus'  Gobbler  w'at  you  meets,  en  ef  he  'fuse 
ter  holler  back  atter  you,  you  kin  des  use  my  head  fer  a 
hole  in  de  wall;  en  w'at  mo'  kin  you  ax  dan  dat?" 
"  What  became  of  Brother  Rabbit,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 
"Well,  sir,  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  lef  dem  low-groun's. 
Wiles  de  'sputin'  wuz  gwine  on,  he  tuck'n  bowed  his 
goodbyes,  en  den  he  des  put  out  fum  dar.  Nex'  day  ole 
Brer  Gibley  Gobbler  tuck'n  sent  'im  a  turkey  wing  fer 
ter  make  a  fan  out'n,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  sent  it 
ter  Miss  Meadows  en  de  gals.  En  I  let  you  know,"  con 
tinued  the  old  man,  chuckling  heartily  to  himself,  "dey 
make  great  'miration  'bout  it." 


XLIX 
MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  DEFENDS  HIMSELF 

"  I  'SPECK  we  all  dun  gone  en  fergot  ole  Mr.  Benjermun 
Ram  off'n  our  min',"  said  Uncle  Remus,  one  night,  as 
the  little  boy  went  into  the  cabin  with  a  large  ram's  horn 
hanging  on  his  arm. 

"About  his  playing  the  fiddle  and  getting  lost  in  the 
woods ! "  exclaimed  the  child.  "  Oh,  no,  I  have  n't  for 
gotten  him,  Uncle  Remus.  I  remember  just  how  he  tuned 
his  fiddle  in  Brother  Wolf's  house." 

"Dat's    me!"     said    Uncle    Remus   with   enthusiasm; 


292  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  dat  's  me  up  en  down.  Mr.  Ram  des  ez  fresh  in  my  min' 
now  ez  he  wuz  de  day  I  year  de  tale.  Dat  ole  creetur  wuz 
a  sight,  mon.  He  mos'  sho'ly  wuz.  He  wrinkly  ole  hawn 
en  de  shaggy  ha'r  on  he  neck  make  'im  look  mighty  ser- 
vigous,1  en  w'ence  he  shake  he  head  en  snort,  hit  seem 
lak  he  gwine  ter  fair  paw  de  yeth  fum  uncT  'im. 

"  Ole  Brer  Fox  bin  pickin'  up  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram 
chilluns  w'en  dey  git  too  fur  fum  home,  but  look  lak  he 
aint  never  bin  git  close  ter  de  ole  creetur. 

"So  one  time  w'en  he  'uz  comin'  on  down  de  road, 
talkin'  'long  wid  Brer  Wolf,  he  up'n  'low,  ole  Brer  Fox 
did,  dat  he  mighty  hongry  in  de  neighborhoods  er  de 
stomach.  Dis  make  Brer  Wolf  look  lak  he  'stonish'd,  en 
he  ax  Brer  Fox  how  de  name  er  goodness  come  he  hongry 
w'en  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  layin'  up  dar  in  de  house 
des  a-rollin'  in  fat. 

"  Den  Brer  Fox  tuck'n  'low,  he  did,  dat  he  done  bin  in 
de  habits  er  eatin'  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  chillun,  but  he 
sorter  fear'd  er  de  ole  creetur  'kaze  he  look  so  bad  on  de 
'count  er  he  red  eye  en  he  wrinkly  hawn. 

"  Brer  Wolf  des  holler  en  laugh,  en  den  he  'low : 

"Lordy,  Brer  Fox!  I  dunner  w'at  kinder  man  is  you, 
nohow!  W'y,  dat  ar  ole  creetur  aint  never  hurted  a  flea 
in  all  he  born  days  —  dat  he  aint,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  look  at  Brer  Wolf  right  hard,  he  did, 
en  den  he  up'n  'low : 

1  Wild ;  fierce  ;  dangerous ;  courageous.  The  accent  is  on  the  second 
syllable,  ser-w-gous  ;  or,  ser-w-gus,  and  the  g  is  hard.  Aunt  Tempy  would 
have  said  "vigrous." 


MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  DEFENDS  HIMSELF   293 

"'Heyo,  Brer  Wolf!  manys  de  time  dat  you  bin  hon- 
gry  'roun'  in  deze  diggin's  en  I  aint  year  talk  er  you 
makin'  a  meal  off'n  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Fox  talk  so  close  ter  de  fatal  trufe,  dat  Brer  Wolf 
got  tooken  wid  de  dry  grins,  yit  he  up'n  'spon',  sezee: 

*  *  I  des  lak  ter  know  who  in  de  name  er  goodness  wanter 
eat  tough  creetur  lak  dat  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  —  dat 
w'at  I  lak  ter  know,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  holler  en  laugh,  de  did,  en  den  he  up'n 
say: 

"'Ah-yi,  Brer  Wolf!  You  ax  me  w'at  I  goes  hongry 
fer,  w'en  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  up  dar  in  he  house,  yit 
you  done  bin  hongry  manys  en  manys  de  time,  en  still 
ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  up  dar  in  he  house.  Now, 
den,  how  you  gwine  do  in  a  case  lak  dat  ? '  sez  Brer  Fox, 
sezee. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  strak  de  een'  er  he  cane  down  'pun  de 
groun',  en  he  say,  sezee: 

"*I  done  say  all  I  got  ter  say,  en  w'at  I  say,  dat  I'll 
stick  ter.  Dat  ole  creetur  lots  too  tough.' 

"Hongry  ez  he  is,  Brer  Fox  laugh  way  down  in  he 
stomach.  Atter  w'ile  he  'low: 

!'Well,  den,  Brer  Wolf,  stidder  'sputin*  'longer  you, 
I  'm  gwine  do  w'at  you  say ;  I  'm  gwine  ter  go  up  dar  en 
git  a  bait  er  ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  en  I  wish  you  be 
so  good  ez  ter  go  'long  wid  me  fer  comp'ny,'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Wolf  jaw  sorter  fall  w'en  he  year  dis,  en  he  'low: 

'* Eh-eh,  Brer  Fox!  I  druther  go  by  my  own  'lone  se'f,' 
sezee. 


294  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'Well,  den,'  sez  Brer  Fox,  sezee,  'you  better  make 
'as'e,'  sezee, '  'kaze  't  aint  gwine  ter  take  me  so  mighty 
long  fer  ter  go  up  dar  en  make  hash  out'n  ole  Mr. 
BenjermuR  Ram/  sezee. 

"Brer  Wolf  know  mighty  well,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
snapping  his  huge  tongs  in  order  to  silence  a  persistent 
cricket  in  the  chimney,  "dat  ef  he  dast  ter  back  out  furii 
a  banter  lak  dat  he  never  is  ter  year  de  las'  un  it  fum  Miss 
Meadows  en  Miss  Motts  en  de  gals,  en  he  march  off  todes. 
Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  house. 

"Little  puff  er  win'  come  en  blow'd  up  some  leafs,  en 
Brer  Wolf  jump  lak  somebody  shootin'  at  'im,  en  he  fly 
mighty  mad  w'en  he  year  Brer  Fox  laugh.  He  men'  he 
gait,  he  did,  en  'twa'n't  'long  'fo'  he  'uz  knockin'  at  Mr. 
Benjermun  Ram  do'. 

"  He  knock  at  de  do',  he  did,  en  co'se  he  'speck  some 
body  fer  ter  come  open  de  do'  ;  but  stidder  dat,  lo'  en 
beholes  yer  come  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  'roun'  de  house. 
Dar  he  wuz  —  red  eye,  wrinkly  hawn  en  shaggy  head. 
Now,  den,  in  case  lak  dat,  w'at  a  slim-legged  man  lak 
Brer  Wolf  gwine  do?  Dey  aint  no  two  ways,  he  gwine 
ter  git  'way  fum  dar,  en  he  went  back  ter  whar  Brer  Fox 
is  mo'  samer  dan  ef  de  patter-rollers  wuz  atter  'im. 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  laugh  en  he  laugh,  en  ole  Brer  Wolf,  he 
look  mighty  glum.  Brer  Fox  ax  'im  is  he  done  kilt  en  e't 
Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  en  ef  so  be,  is  he  lef  any  fer  him, 
Brer  Wolf  say  he  aint  feelin'  well,  en  he  don't  lak  mutton 
nohow.  Brer  Fox  'low : 

"'You  may  be  puny  in  de  min',  Brer  Wolf,  but  you 


MR.  BENJAMIN  RAM  DEFENDS  HIMSELF    295 

aint  feelin'  bad  in  de  leg,  'kaze  I  done  seed  you  wuk 
urn.' 

"  Brer  Wolf  'low  he  des  a-runnin'  fer  ter  see  ef  't  won't 
mak  'im  feel  better.  Brer  Fox,  he  say,  sezee,  dat  w'en  he 
feelin'  puny,  he  aint  ax  no  mo'  dan  fer  somebody  fer  ter 
git  out  de  way  en  let  'im  lay  down. 

"  Dey  went  on  in  dis  a-way,  dey  did,  twel  bimeby  Brer 
Fox  ax  Brer  Wolf  ef  he'll  go  wid  'im  fer  ter  ketch  Mr. 
Berijermun  Ram.  Brer  Wolf,  he  'low,  he  did: 

"  *  Eh-eh,  Brer  Fox !  I  fear'd  you  '11  run  en  lef '  me  dar 
fer  ter  do  all  de  fightin'.' 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  'low  dat  he  '11  fix  dat,  en  he  tuck'n  got  'im 
a  plough-line,  en  tied  one  een'  ter  Brer  Wrolf  en  t'er  een* 
ter  he  own  se'f.  Wid  dat  dey  put  out  fer  Mr.  Benjermun 
Ram  house.  Brer  Wolf,  he  sorter  hang  back,  but  he  'shame' 
fer  ter  say  he  skeer'd,  en  dey  went  on  en  went  on  plum 
twel  dey  git  right  spang  up  ter  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  house. 

"  W'en  dey  git  dar,  de  ole  creetur  wuz  settin'  out  in  de 
front  po'ch  sorter  sunnin'  hisse'f.  He  see  um  comin',  en 
w'en  dey  git  up  in  hailin'  distance,  he  sorter  cle'r  up  he 
th'oat,  he  did,  en  holler  out : 

" '  I  much  'blije  to  you,  Brer  Fox,  fer  ketchin'  dat  ow- 
dashus  vilyun  en  fetchin'  'im  back.  My  smoke-'ouse 
runnin'  short,  en  I  '11  des  chop  'im  up  en  pickle  'im.  ITetch 
'im  in,  Brer  Fox!  fetch  'im  in!' 

"  Des  'bout  dat  time  ole  Miss  Ram  see  dem  creeturs 
a-comin',  en  gentermens!  you  mought  er  yeard  er  blate 
plum  ter  town.  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram,  he  sorter  skeer'd 
hisse'f,  but  he  keep  on  talkin' : 


296  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'Fetch  'im  in,  Brer  Fox!  fetch  'im  in!  Don't  you  year 
my  ole  'oman  cryin'  fer  'im  ?  She  aint  had  no  wolf  meat 
now  in  gwine  on  mighty  nigh  a  mont'.  Fetch  'im  in,  Brer 
Fox !  fetch  'im  in ! ' 

"Fus'  Brer  Wolf  try  ter  ontie  hisse'f,  den  he  tuck'n 
broke  en  run'd,  en  he  drag  ole  Brer  Fox  atter  'im  des  lak 
he  aint  weigh  mo'n  a  poun',  en  I  let  you  know  hit  'uz 
many  a  long  day  'fo'  Brer  Fox  git  well  er  de  thumpin' 
he  got." 

"  Uncle  Remus,"  said  the  little  boy  after  a  while,  "  I 
thought  wolves  always  caught  sheep  when  they  had  the 
chance." 

"Dey  ketches  lam's,  honey,  but  bless  yo'  soul!  dey 
aint  ketch  deze  yer  ole-time  Rams  wid  red  eye  en  wrinkly 
hawn." 

"  Where  was  Brother  Rabbit  all  this  time  ? " 

"Now,  den,  honey,  don't  less  pester  wid  ole  Brer 
Rabbit  right  now.  Des  less  gin  'im  one  night  rest,  mo' 
speshually  w'en  I  year  de  seven  stares  say  yo'  bed-time 
done  come.  Des  take  yo'  foot  in  yo'  han'  en  put  right 
out  'fo'  Miss  Sally  come  a-callin'  you,  'kaze  den  she'll 
say  I'm  a-settin'  yer  a-noddin'  en  not  takin'  keer  un 
you." 

The  child  laughed  and  ran  up  the  path  to  the  big-house, 
stopping  a  moment  on  the  way  to  mimic  a  bull-frog  that 
was  bellowing  at  a  tremendous  rate  near  the  spring. 


BRO.  RABBIT  PRETENDS  TO  BE  POISONED    297 


BROTHER  RABBIT  PRETENDS  TO  BE 
POISONED 

NOT  many  nights  after  the  story  of  how  Mr.  Benjamin 
Ram  frightened  Brother  Wolf  and  Brother  Fox,  the  little 
boy  found  himself  in  Uncle  Remus's  cabin.  It  had  occurred 
to  him  that  Mr.  Ram  should  have  played  on  his  fiddle 
somewhere  in  the  tale,  and  Uncle  Remus  was  called  on  to 
explain.  He  looked  at  the  little  boy  with  an  air  of  grieved 
astonishment,  and  exclaimed : 

"Well,  I  be  bless  if  I  ever  year  der  beat  er  dat.  Yer 
you  bin  a-persooin'  on  atter  deze  yer  creeturs  en  makin' 
der  'quaintunce,  en  yit  look  lak  ef  you  'uz  ter  meet  um 
right  up  dar  in  der  paff  you  'd  fergit  all  'bout  who  dey  is." 

"Oh,  no,  I  wouldn't,  Uncle  Remus!"  protested  the 
child,  glancing  at  the  door  and  getting  a  little  closer  to 
the  old  man. 

"  Yasser!  you  'd  des  nat'ally  whirl  in  en  forgit  'bout  who 
dey  is.  'T  aint  so  mighty  long  sence  I  done  tole  you  'bout 
ole  Mr.  Benjermun  Ram  playin'  he  fiddle  at  Brer  Wolf 
house,  en  yer  you  come  en  ax  me  how  come  he  don't  take 
en  play  it  at  'im  'g'in.  W'at  kinder  lookin'  sight  'ud  dat 
ole  creetur  a-bin  ef  he  'd  jump  up  en  grab  he  fiddle  en  go 
ter  playin'  on  it  eve'y  time  he  year  a  fuss  down  de  big 
road?" 

The  little  boy  said  nothing,  but  he  thought  the  story 
would  have  been  a  great  deal  nicer  if  Mr.  Benjamin  Ram 


298  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

could  have  played  one  of  the  old-time  tunes  on  his  fiddle, 
and  while  he  was  thinking  about  it,  the  door  opened  and 
Aunt  Tempy  made  her  appearance.  Her  good-humor 
was  infectious. 

"Name  er  goodness!"  she  exclaimed,  "I  lef  you  all 
settin'  yer  way  las'  week;  I  goes  off  un  I  does  my  wuk,  un 
I  comes  back,  un  I  fines  you  settin*  right  whar  I  lef 
you.  Goodness  knows,  I  dunner  whar  you  gits  yo'  vittles. 
I  dunner  whar  I  aint  bin  sence  I  lef  you  all  settin'  yer.  I 
let  you  know  I  bin  a-usin'  my  feet  un  I  been  a-usin'  my 
han's.  Dat  's  me.  No  use  ter  ax  how  you  all  is,  'kaze  you 
looks  lots  better'n  me." 

"  Yas,  Sis  Tempy,  we  er  settin'  yer  whar  you  lef  us,  en 
der  Lord,  he  bin  a-pervidin'.  Wen  de  vittles  don't  come 
in  at  de  do'  hit  come  down  de  chimbly,  en  so  w'at  de  odds  ? 
We  er  sorter  po'ly,  Sis  Tempy,  I'm  'blige  ter  you.  You 
know  w'at  de  jay-bird  say  ter  der  squinch  owl!  'I'm 
sickly  but  sassy.5 " 

Aunt  Tempy  laughed  as  she  replied :  "  I  'speck  you  all 
bin  a-havin'  lots  er  fun.  Goodness  knows  I  wish  many  a 
time  sence  I  bin  gone  dat  I  'uz  settin'  down  yer  runnin'  on 
wid  you  all.  I  aint  bin  gone  fur  —  dat 's  so,  yit  Mistiss 
put  me  ter  cuttin'-out,  un  I  tell  you  now  dem  w'at  cuts 
out  de  duds  fer  all  de  niggers  on  dis  place  is  got  ter  wuk 
fum  soon  in  de  mawnin'  plum  tel  bed-time,  dey  aint  no 
two  ways.  'Taint  no  wuk  youk'n  kyar'  'bout  wid  you 
needer,  'kaze  you  got  ter  spread  it  right  out  on  de  flo' 
un  git  down  on  yo'  knees.  I  mighty  glad  I  done  wid  it, 
'kaze  my  back  feel  like  it  done  broke  in  a  thous'n  pieces, 


BRO.  RABBIT  PRETENDS  TO  BE  POISONED    299 

Honey,  is  Brer  Remus  bin  a-tellin'  you  some  mo'  er  dem 
ole-time  tales  ?  " 

Aunt  Tempy's  question  gave  the  little  boy  an  excuse  for 
giving  her  brief  outlines  of  some  of  the  stories.  One  that 
he  seemed  to  remember  particularly  well  was  the  story 
of  how  Brother  Rabbit  and  Brother  Fox  killed  a  cow, 
and  how  Brother  Rabbit  got  the  most  and  the  best  of  the 
beef. 

"  I  done  year  talk  uv  a  tale  like  dat,"  exclaimed  Aunt 
Tempy,  laughing  heartily,  "but  'taint  de  same  tale.  I 
mos'  'shame'  ter  tell  it." 

"You  gittin'  too  ole  ter, be  blushin',  Sis  Tempy,"  said 
Uncle  Remus  with  dignity. 

"Well  den,"  said  Aunt  Tempy,  wiping  her  fat  face  with 
her  apron :  "  One  time  Brer  Rabbit  un  Brer  Wolf  tuck'n 
gone  off  som'ers  un  kilt  a  cow,  un  w'en  dey  come  fer  ter 
'vide  out  de  kyarkiss,  Brer  Wolf  'low  dat  bein's  he  de 
biggest  he  oughter  have  de  mos',  un  he  light  in,  he  did,  un 
do  like  he  gwine  ter  take  it  all.  Brer  Rabbit  do  like  he 
don't  keer  much,  but  he  keer  so  bad  hit  make  'im  right 
sick.  He  tuck'n  walk  all  'roun'  de  kyarkiss,  he  did,  un 
snuff  de  air,  un  terreckly  he  say: 

"'Brer  Wolf!  — O  Brer  Wolf!  — is  dis  meat  smell 
'zuckly  right  ter  you  ? ' 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  cuttin'  un  he  kyarvin'  un  he  aint  sayin* 
nothin'.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  walk  all  'roun'  un  'roun'  de 
kyarkiss.  He  feel  it  un  he  kick  it.  Terreckly  he  say: 

" '  Brer  Wolf !  —  O  Brer  Wolf !  —  Dis  meat  feel  mighty 
flabby  ter  me ;  how  it  feel  ter  you  ? ' 


300  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  year  all  dat  's  said,  but  he  keep  on  a- 
cuttin'  un  a-kyarvin'.  Brer  Rabbit  say: 

" '  You  kin  talk  er  not  talk,  Brer  Wolf,  des  ez  youer  min' 
ter,  yit  ef  I  aint  mistooken  in  de  sign,  you  '11  do  some  tall 
talkin*  'fo'  youer  done  wid  dis  beef.  Now  you  mark  w'at  I 
tell  you!' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  put  out  fum  dar,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  yer 
he  come  back  wid  a  chunk  er  fier,  un  a  dish  er  salt.  W'en 
Brer  Wolf  see  dis,  he  say : 

"'W'at  you  gwine  do  wid  all  dat,  Brer  Rabbit?' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  laugh  like  he  know  mo'  dan  he  gwine  tell, 
un  he  say: 

"Bless  yo*  soul,  Brer  Wolf!  I  aint  gwine  ter  kyar  er 
poun'  er  dis  meat  home  tel  I  fin'  out  w'at  de  matter  wid 
it.  No  I  aint  —  so  dar  now ! ' 

"  Den  Brer  Rabbit  built  'im  a  fier  un  cut  'im  off  a  slishe 
er  steak  un  br'ilte  it  good  un  done,  un  den  he  e't  little  uv 
it.  Fus*  he'd  tas'e  un  den  he'd  nibble;  den  he'd  nibble 
un  den  he'd  tas'e.  He  keep  on  tel  he  e't  right  smart 
piece.  Den  he  went'n  sot  off  little  ways  like  he  waitin' 
fer  sump'n'. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  kyarve  un  he  cut,  but  he  keep  one  eye 
on  Brer  Rabbit.  Brer  Rabbit  sot  up  dar  same  ez  Judge 
on  de  bench.  Brer  Wolf,  he  watch  his  motions.  Terreckly 
Brer  Rabbit  fling  bofe  han's  up  ter  he  head  un  fetch  a 
groan.  Brer  Wolf  cut  un  kyarve  un  watch  Brer  Rabbit 
motions.  Brer  Rabbit  sorter  sway  backerds  un  forrerds  un 
fetch  'n'er  groan.  Den  he  sway  fum  side  to  side  un  holler 
*O  Lordy!'  Brer  Wolf,  he  sorter  'gun  ter  git  skeer'd  un 


BRO.  RABBIT  PRETENDS  TO  BE  POISONED  301 

he  ax  Brer  Rabbit  w'at  de  matter.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  roll 
on  de  groim'  un  holler: 

"O  Lordy,  Lordy!  I'm  pizen'd,  I'm  pizen'd !  O 
Lordy!  I'm  pizen'd!  Run  yer,  somebody,  run  yer!  De 
meat  done  got  pizen  on  it.  Oh,  do  run  yer!' 

"Brer  Wolf  git  so  skeer'd  dat  he  put  out  fum  dar,  un 
he  wa'n't  out  er  sight  skacely  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit  jump  up 
fum  dar  un  cut  de  pidjin-wing,  un  't  wa'n't  so  mighty 
long  atter  dat  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit  done  put  all  er  dat  beef  in 
his  smoke-house." 

"What  became  of  Brother  Wolf?"  the  little  boy  in 
quired. 

"Brer  Wolf  went  atter  de  doctor,"  continued  Aunt 
Tempy,  making  little  tucks  in  her  apron,  "un  w'en  he 
come  back  Brer  Rabbit  un  de  beef  done  gone;  un,  bless 
goodness,  ef  it  had  n't  er  bin  fer  de  sign  whar  Brer  Rabbit 
built  de  fier,  Brer  Wolf  would  er  bin  mightly  pester'd  fer 
ter  fine  der  place  whar  de  cow  bin  kilt." 

At  this  juncture,  'Tildy,  the  house-girl,  came  in  to  tell 
Aunt  Tempy  that  one  of  the  little  negroes  had  been  taken 
suddenly  sick. 

"I  bin  huntin'  fer  you  over  de  whole  blessid  place," 
said  'Tildy. 

"  No,  you  aint  —  no,  you  aint.  You  aint  bin  huntin' 
nowhar.  You  know'd  mighty  well  whar  I  wuz." 

"Law,  Mam'  Tempy,  I  can't  keep  up  wid  you.  How 
I  know  you  down  yer  courtin'  wid  Unk  Remus  ? " 

"Yo'  head  mighty  full  er  courtin',  you  nas'  stinkin' 
huzzy ! "  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy. 


302  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Uncle  Remus,  strange  to  say,  was  unmoved.  He  simply 
said: 

"  Wen  you  see  dat  ar  'Tildy  gal  pirootin'  'roun'  I  boun' 
you  ole  Brer  Affikin  Jack  aint  fur  off.  'T  won't  be  so 
mighty  long  'fo'  de  ole  creetur'll  show  up." 

"  How  you  know  dat,  Unk  Remus  ? "  exclaimed  'Tildy, 
showing  her  white  teeth  and  stretching  her  eyes.  "  Hit 's 
de  Lord's  trufe;  Mass  Jeems  done  writ  a  letter  ter  Miss 
Sally,  an'  he  say  in  dat  letter  dat  Daddy  Jack  ax  'im  fer 
ter  tell  Miss  Sally  ter  tell  me  dat  he  '11  be  up  yer  dis  week. 
Dat  ole  Affikin  ape  got  de  impidence  er  de  Ole  Boy.  He 
dunner  who  he  foolin'  'longer ! " 


LI 
MORE  TROUBLE  FOR  BROTHER  WOLF 

THE  next  night  the  little  boy  hardly  waited  to  eat  his 
supper  before  going  to  Uncle  Remus's  house;  and  when 
Aunt  Tempy  failed  to  put  in  an  appearance  as  early  as  he 
thought  necessary,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  go  after  her.  He 
had  an  idea  that  there  was  a  sequel  to  the  story  she  had 
told  the  night  before,  and  he  was  right.  After  protesting 
against  being  dragged  around  from  post  to  pillar  by  chil 
dren,  Aunt  Tempy  said : 

"  Atter  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  make  out  he  'uz  pizen'd  un 
git  all  de  beef,  't  wa'n't  long  'f o'  he  chance  to  meet  ole  Brer 
Wolf  right  spang  in  de  middle  uv  de  road.  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  sorter  shied  off  ter  one  side,  but  Brer  Wolf  hail  'im : 


MORE  TROUBLE  FOR  BROTHER  WOLF    303 

"  *  W'oa  dar,  my  colty !  don't  be  so  gayly.  You  better 
be  'shame'  yo'se'f  'bout  de  way  you  do  me  w'en  we  go 
inter  cahoots  wid  dat  beef.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  ax  Brer  Wolf  how  all  his  folks. 
Brer  Wolf  say: 

'  You  '11  fin'  out  how  dey  all  is  'fo'  dis  day  gone  by. 
You  took'n  took  de  beef,  un  now  I'm  a-gwine  ter  take'n 
take  you.' 

"Wid  dis  Brer  W^olf  make  a  dash  at  Brer  Rabbit,  but 
he  des  lack  a  little  bit  uv  bein'  quick  'nuff,  un  Brer  Rab 
bit  he  des  went  a-sailiri*  thoo  de  woods.  Brer  Wolf,  he 
tuck  atter  'im,  un  yer  dey  had  it  —  fus'  Brer  Rabbit  un 
den  Brer  Wolf.  Brer  Rabbit  mo'  soopler  dan  Brer  W7olf, 
but  Brer  Wolf  got  de  'vantage  er  de  win',  un  terreckly  he 
push  Brer  Rabbit  so  close  dat  he  run  in  a  holler  log. 

"Brer  Rabbit  bin  in  dat  log  befo'  un  he  know  dey's  a 
hole  at  de  t'er  een',  un  he  des  keep  on  a-gwine.  He  dart 
in  one  een'  un  he  slip  out  de  udder.  He  aint  stop  ter  say 
goo'-bye;  bless  you!  he  des  keep  on  gwine. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  see  Brer  Rabbit  run  in  de  holler  log, 
un  he  say  ter  hisse'f : 

"Heyo,  dey  bin  callin'  you  so  mighty  cunnin'  all  dis 
time,  un  yer  you  done  gone  un  shot  yo'se'f  up  in  my  trap.' 

"Den  Brer  Wolf  laugh  un  lay  down  by  de  een'  whar 
Brer  Rabbit  went  in,  un  pant  un  res'  hisse'f.  He  see  whar 
Brer  B'ar  burnin'  off  a  new  groun',  un  he  holler  un  ax 
'im  fer  ter  fetch  'im  a  chunk  er  fier,  un  Brer  B'ar  he  fotch 
it,  en  dey  sot  fier  ter  de  holler  log,  un  dey  sot  dar  un  watch 
it  till  it  burn  plum  up.  Den  dey  took'n  shuck  han's,  un 


304  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Brer  Wolf  say  he  hope  dat  alter  dat  dey  '11  have  some  peace 
in  de  neighborhoods." 

Uncle  Remus  smiled  a  knowing  smile  as  he  filled  his 
pipe,  but  Aunt  Tempy  continued  with  great  seriousness: 

"One  time  atter  dat,  Brer  Wolf,  he  took'n  pay  a  call 
down  ter  Miss  Meadows,  un  w'en  he  git  dar  un  see  Brer 
Rabbit  settin'  up  side  uv  one  er  de  gals,  he  like  to  'a' 
fainted,  dat  he  did.  He  'uz  dat  'stonish'd  dat  he  look  right 
down-hearted  all  endurin'  uv  de  party. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  bow'd  his  howdies  ter  Brer  Wolf  un 
shuck  ban's  'long  wid  'im,  des  like  nothin'  aint  never 
happen  'twixt  'um,  un  he  up'n  say: 

"'Ah-law,  Brer  Wolf!  Youer  much  mo'  my  fr'en'  dan 
you  ever  'speckted  ter  be,  un  you  kin  des  count  on  me 
right  straight  'long.' 

"Brer  Wolf  say  he  feel  sorter  dat  a-way  hisse'f,  un 
he  ax  Brer  Rabbit  w'at  make  'im  change  his  min'  so 
quick. 

''Bless  you,  Brer  Wolf,  I  had  needs  ter  change  it,'  sez 
Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  ax  'im  how  come. 

"'All  about  bein'  burnt  up  in  a  holler  log,  Brer  Wolf, 
un  w'en  you  gits  time  I  wish  you  be  so  good  ez  ter  bu'n 
me  up  some  mo','  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"Brer  Wolf,  he  ax  'im  how  so.    Brer  Rabbit  say: 

" '  I  'm  fear'd  ter  tell  you,  Brer  Wolf,  'kaze  I  don't  want 
de  news  ter  git  out.' 

"Brer  Wolf  vow  he  won't  tell  nobody  on  de  top  side 
er  de  worl'.  Brer  Rabbit  say: 


MORE  TROUBLE  FOR  BROTHER  WOLF    305 

" *  I  done  fin'  out,  Brer  Wolf,  dat  w'en  you  git  in  a  hol 
ler  tree  un  somebody  sets  it  a-fier,  dat  de  nat'al  honey  des 
oozles  out  uv  it,  un  mor'n  dat,  atter  you  git  de  honey  all 
over  you,  'taint  no  use  ter  try  ter  burn  you  up,  'kaze  de 
honey  will  puzzuv  you.  Don't  'ny  me  dis  favor,  Brer 
Wolf,  'kaze  I  done  pick  me  out  a  n'er  holler  tree,'  sez 
Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  wanter  put  right  out  den  un  dar,  un 
Brer  Rabbit  say  dat  des  de  kinder  man  w'at  he  bin  huntin' 
fer.  Dey  took  deyse'f  off  un  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  dey  came 
ter  de  tree  w'at  Brer  Rabbit  say  he  done  pick  out.  W'en 
dey  git  dar,  Brer  Wolf,  he  so  greedy  fer  ter  git  a  tas'e  er 
de  honey  dat  he  beg  un  beg  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  let  'im 
git  in  de  holler.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  hoi'  back,  but  Brer  Wolf 
beg  so  hard  dat  Brer  Rabbit  'gree  ter  let  'im  git  in  de 
holler. 

"  Brer  Wolf,  he  got  in,  he  did,  un  Brer  Rabbit  stuff  de 
hole  full  er  dry  leaves  un  trash,  un  den  he  got  'im  a  chunk 
er  fier  un  totch  'er  off.  She  smoked  un  smoked,  un  den 
she  bust  out  in  a  blaze.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  pile  up  rocks, 
un  brush,  un  sticks,  so  Brer  Wolf  can't  git  out.  Ter- 
reckly  Brer  Wolf  holler : 

" '  Gittin'  mighty  hot,  Brer  Rabbit !  I  aint  see  no  honey 
yit.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  he  pile  on  mo*  trash,  un  holler  back: 

"Don't  be  in  no  hurry,  Brer  Wolf;  you'll  see  it  un 
tas'e  it  too.' 

"  Fier  burn  un  burn,  wood  pop  like  pistol.  Brer  Wolf, 
he  holler: 


306  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'Gittin'  hotter  un  hotter,  Brer  Rabbit.  No  honey 
come  yit.' 

"'Hoi'  still,  Brer  Wolf,  hit '11  come.' 

"  Gimme  a'r,  Brer  Rabbit  ;    I'm  a-chokin'.' 

' '  Fresh  a'r  make  honey  sour.  Des  hoi'  still,  Brer 
Wolf!' 

"'  Ow  I  she  gittin'  hotter  en  hotter,  Brer  Rabbit!' 

"'Des  hoi'  right  still,  Brer  Wolf;  mos'  time  fer  de 
honey ! ' 

" '  Ow  !-ow  !   I  'm  a-burnin',  Brer  Rabbit ! ' 

"'Wait  fer  de  honey,  Brer  Wolf.' 

'"I  can't  stan'  it,  Brer  Rabbit,' 

"'Stan'  it  like  I  did,  Brer  Wolf.' 

"Brer  Rabbit  he  pile  on  de  trash  un  de  leaves.   He  say: 

'"I'll  gin  you  honey,  Brer  Wolf;  de  same  kinder  honey 
you  wanted  ter  gimme.' 

"Un  it  seem  like  ter  me,"  said  Aunt  Tempy,  pleased 
at  the  interest  the  little  boy  had  shown,  "  dat  it  done  Brer 
Wolf  des  right." 

LII 
BROTHER  RABBIT  OUTDOES  MR.  MAN 

THE  little  boy  had  heard  Uncle  Remus  lamenting  that 
his  candle  was  getting  rather  short,  and  he  made  it  his 
business  to  go  around  the  house  and  gather  all  the  pieces 
he  could  find.  He  carried  these  to  the  old  man,  who 
received  them  with  the  liveliest  satisfaction. 

"Now  dish  yer  sorter  look  lak  sumpV,  honey.     Wr'en 


BROTHER  RABBIT  OUTDOES  MR.  MAN   307 

ole  Brer  Jack  come  back,  en  Sis  Tempy  git  in  de  habits  er 
hangin'  'roim',  we  '11  des  light  some  er  dese  yer,  en  folks 
'11  come  by  en  see  de  shine,  en  dey'll  go  off  en  'low  dat 
hit's  de  night  des  'fo'  camp-meetin'  at  ole  Remus  house. 

"  I  got  little  piece  dar  in  my  chist  w'at  you  brung  me 
long  time  ergo,  en  I  'low  ter  myse'f  dat  ef  shove  ever  git 
ter  be  push,1 1  'd  des  draw  'er  out  en  light  'er  up." 

"Mamma  says  Daddy  Jack  is  coming  back  Sunday," 
said  the  little  boy. 

"  Dat  w'at  I  year  talk,"  replied  the  old  man. 

"  What  did  he  go  off  for,  Uncle  Remus  ?  " 

"  Bless  yo'  soul,  honey !  Brer  Jack  bleedz  ter  go  en  see 
yo'  link  Jeems.  He  b'leeve  de  worl'  go  wrong  ef  he  aint 
do  dat.  Dat  ole  nigger  b'leeve  he  white  mon.  He  come 
up  yer  fum  down  de  country  whar  de  Lord  done  fersook 
um  too  long  'go  ter  talk  'bout,  —  he  come  up  yer  en  he  put 
on  mo'  a'rs  dan  w'at  I  dast  ter  do.  Not  dat  I  'm  keerin', 
'kaze  goodness  knows  I  aint,  yit  I  notices  dat  w'en  I  has 
ter  go  some'rs,  dey  's  allers  a  great  ter-do  'bout  w'at  is 
I'm  a-gwine  fer,  en  how  long  is  I'm  a-gwine  ter  stay;  en 
ef  I  aint  back  at  de  ve'y  minit,  dars  Mars  John  a-growlin', 
en  Miss  Sally  a-vowin'  dat  she  gwine-  ter  put  me  on  de 

block." 2 

Perhaps  Uncle  Remus's  jealousy  was  more  substantial 
than  he  was  willing  to  admit;  but  he  was  talking  merely 
to  see  what  the  little  boy  would  say.  The  child,  however, 

1  A  plantation  saying1.    It  means  if  hard  times  get  harder.   A  briefer  form 
is  "  w'en  shove  'come  push  "  —  when  the  worst  comes  to  the  worst. 

2  That  is  to  say,  put  him  on  the  block,  and  sell  him. 


308  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

failed  to  appreciate  the  situation,  seeing  which  the  old 
man  quickly  changed  the  subject. 

"Times  is  mighty  diffunt  fum  w'at  dey  use  ter  wuz, 
'kaze  de  time  has  bin  dat  ef  ole  Brer  Rabbit  had  er  run'd 
up  wid  Brer  Jack  w'iles  he  comin'  fum  yo'  Unk  Jeems 
place,  he'd  outdone  'im  des  ez  sho'  ez  de  worl'  stan's. 
Deze  days  de  Rabbits  has  ter  keep  out  de  way  er  folks, 
but  in  dem  days  folks  had  ter  keep  out  der  way  er  ole  Brer 
Rabbit.  Aint  I  never  tell  you  'bout  how  Brer  Rabbit 
whirl  in  en  outdo  Mr.  Man  ? " 

"  About  the  meat  tied  to  the  string,  Uncle  Remus  ? " 
"  Shoo  /   Dat  aint  a  drap  in  de  bucket,  honey.   Dish  yer 
wuz  de  time  w'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  gwine  'long  de  big 
road,  en  he  meet  Mr.  Man  drivin'  'long  wid  a  waggin 
chock  full  er  money." 

"  Where  did  he  get  so  much  money,  Uncle  Remus  ? " 
"  Bruisin'  'round  en  peddlin'  'bout.  Mr.  Man  got  w'at 
lots  er  folks  aint  got,  —  good  luck,  long  head,  quick  eye,  en 
slick  fingers.  But  no  marter  'bout  dat,  he  got  de  money; 
en  w'en  you  sorter  grow  up  so  you  kin  knock  'roun',  't  won't 
be  long  'fo'  some  un'll  take  en  take  you  off  'roun'  de 
cornder  en  tell  you  dat  't  aint  make  no  diffunce  whar 
de  money  come  fum  so  de  man  got  it.  Dey  won't  tell  you 
dat  in  de  meeting-house,  but  dey  '11  come  mighty  nigh  it. 

"  But  dat  aint  needer  yer  ner  dar.  Mr.  Man,  he  come 
a-drivin'  'long  de  big  road,  en  he  got  a  waggin  full  er 
money.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  come  a-lippity-clippitin'  'long 
de  big  road,  en  he  aint  got  no  waggin  full  er  money.  Ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  tuck  a  notion  dat  dey's  sumpV 


BROTHER  RABBIT  OUTDOES  MR.  MAN  309 

wrong  some'rs,  'kaze  ef  dey  wa'n't,  he'ud  have  des  ez 
much  waggin  en  money  ez  Mr.  Man.  He  study,  en  study, 
en  he  can't  make  out  how  dat  is.  Bimeby  he  up'n  holler 
out: 

' '  Mr.  Man,  please,  sir,  lemme  ride.' 

"Mr.  Man,  he  tuck'n  stop  he  waggin,  en  'low: 

' '  Heyo,  Brer  Rabbit !  how  come  dis  ?  You  comin' 
one  way  en  I  gwine  nudder ;  how  come  you  wanter 
ride?' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  scratch  hisse'f  on  de  back  er  de 
neck  wid  he  behime  foot,  en  holler  out : 

"  *  Mr.  Man,  yo'  sho'ly  can't  be  'quainted  'long  wid  me. 
I  'm  one  er  dem  ar  ole-time  kinder  folks  w'at  aint  a-keerin* 
w'ich  way  deyer  gwine  long  ez  deyer  ridinV  " 

The  little  boy  laughed  a  sympathetic  laugh,  showing 
that  he  heartily  endorsed  this  feature  of  Brother  Rabbit's 
programme. 

"Alter  so  long  a  time,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "Mr. 
Man  'gree  ter  let  Brer  Rabbit  ride  a  little  piece.  He  try 
ter  git  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  ride  up  on  de  seat  wid  'im  so 
dey  kin  git  ter  'sputin'  'bout  sump'n'  'n'er,  but  Brer  Rab 
bit  say  he  fear'd  he  fall  off,  en  he  des  tuck'n  sot  right 
flat  down  in  dey  botlom  er  de  waggin,  en  make  lak  he 
fear'd  ter  move. 

"  Bimeby,  w'iles  dey  goin'  down  hill,  en  Mr.  Man  haller 
keep  he  eye  on  de  bosses,  Brer  Rabbil  he  tuck'n  fling  out 
a  great  big  hunk  er  de  money.  Dez  ez  de  money  hit  de 
groun'  Brer  Rabbit  holler  out : 


310  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Mr.  Man  look  'roun'  en  ax  w'at  de  marter.  Brer 
Rabbit 'low: 

"'Nothin'  'tall,  Mr.  Man,  'ceppin'  you  'bout  ter  iolt 
my  jaw-bone  a-loose.' 

"  Dey  go  on  little  furder,  en  Brer  Rabbit  fling  out  'n'er 
hunk  er  de  money.  Wen  she  hit  the  groun',  Brer  Rabbit 
holler: 

"'Blam/' 

"Mr.  Man  look  'roun'  en  ax  w'at  de  marter.  Brer 
Rabbit 'low: 

"  *  Nothin'  't  all,  Mr.  Man,  'ceppin'  I  seed  a  jaybird 
flyin'  'long,  en  I  make  lak  I  had  a  gun.' 

"Hit  keep  on  dis  a-way  twel  fus'  news  you  know  Mr. 
Man  aint  got  a  sign  er  money  in  dat  waggin.  Seem  lak 
Mr.  Man  aint  notice  dis  twel  he  git  a  mighty  fur  ways 
fum  de  place  whar  Brer  Rabbit  drap  out  de  las'  hunk; 
but,  gentermens !  w'en  he  do  fine  it  out,  you  better  b'leeve 
he  sot  up  a  howl. 

"'Whar  my  money?  Whar  my  nice  money?  Whar 
my  waggin  full  er  purty  money  ?  O  you  long-year'd  ras 
cal  !  Whar  my  money  ?  Oh,  gimme  my  money ! ' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  sot  dar  en  lissen  at  'im  lak  he  'stonish'd. 
Den  he  up'n  'low: 

"'Look  out,  Mr.  Man!  folks  '11  come  'long  en  year 
you  gwine  on  dat  a-way,  en  dey  '11  go  off  en  say  you  done 
gone  ravin'  'stracted.' 

"  Yit  Mr.  Man  keep  on  holler'n  en  beggin'  Brer  Rabbit 
fer  ter  gin  'im  de  money,  en  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit,  he  git 
sorter  skeer'd  en  he  up'n  'low : 


BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  A  WALK      311 

' '  Sun  gittin'  low,  Mr.  Man,  en  I  better  be  gittin'  'way 
fum  yer.  De  sooner  I  goes  de  better,  'kaze  ef  you  keep  on 
lak  you  gwine,  't  won't  be  long  'fo'  you  '11  be  excusin'  me 
er  takin'  dat  ar  money.  I  'm  'blige'  fer  de  ride,  Mr.  Man, 
en  I  wish  you  mighty  well.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  got  de  money,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
gazing  placidly  into  the  fire,  "  en  hit 's  mighty  kuse  ter  me 
dat  he  aint  git  de  waggin  en  hosses.  Dat  't  is!" 


LIII 
BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  A  WALK 

"EVE'Y  time  I  run  over  in  my  min'  'bout  the  pranks  er 
Brer  Rabbit,"  Uncle  Remus  continued,  without  giving 
the  little  boy  time  to  ask  any  more  embarrassing  questions 
about  Mr.  Man  and  his  wagon  full  of  money,  "  hit  make 
me  laugh  mo'  en  mo'.  He  mos'  allers  come  out  on  top, 
yit  dey  wuz  times  w'en  he  hatter  be  mighty  spry." 

"When  was  that,  Uncle  Remus?"  inquired  the  little 
boy. 

"  I  min'  me  er  one  time  w'en  de  t'er  creeturs  all  git  de 
laugh  on  'im,"  responded  the  old  man,  "en  dey  make 
'im  feel  sorter  'shame'.  Hit  seem  lak  dat  dey  'uz  some 
kinder  bodderment  'mungs'  de  creeturs  en  wud  went  out 
dat  dey  all  got  ter  meet  terge'er  some'rs  en  ontangle  de 
tanglements. 

"W'en  de  time  come,  dey  wuz  all  un  um  dar,  en  dey 
hilt  der  confab  right  'long.  All  un  um  got  sump'n'  ter  say, 


312  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

en  dey  talk  dar,  dey  did,  des  lak  dey  'uz  paid  fer  talkin'. 
Dey  all  had  der  plans,  en  dey  jabbered  des  lak  folks  does 
w'en  dey  call  deyse'f  terge'er.  Hit  come  'bout  dat  Mr. 
Dog  git  a  seat  right  close  by  Brer  Rabbit,  en  w'en  he  open 
he  mouf  fer  ter  say  sump'n',  he  toofs  look  so  long  en  so 
strong,  en  dey  shine  so  w'ite,  dat  it  feel  mighty  kuse. 

"Mr.  Dog,  he'd  say  sump'n',  Brer  Rabbit,  he'd  jump 
en  dodge.  Mr.  Dog,  he  'd  laugh,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'd  dodge 
en  jump.  Hit  keep  on  dis  a-way,  twel  eve'y  time  Brer 
Rabbit 'd  dodge  en  jump,  de  t'er  creeturs  dey'd  slap  der 
han's  terge'er  en  break  out  in  a  laugh.  Mr.  Dog,  he  tuck'n 
tuck  a  notion  dat  dey  'uz  laughin'  at  him,  en  dis  make  'im 
so  mad  dat  he  'gun  ter  growl  en  snap  right  smartually, 
en  it  come  ter  dat  pass  dat  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  'd  see  Mr. 
Dog  make  a  motion  fer  ter  say  a  speech,  he'd  des  drap 
down  en  git  und'  de  cheer. 

"Co'se  dis  make  um  laugh  wuss  en  wuss,  en  de  mo' 
dey  laugh  de  madder  it  make  Mr.  Dog,  twel  bimeby  he 
git  so  mad  he  fa'rly  howl,  en  Brer  Rabbit  he  sot  dar,  he 
did,  en  shuck  lak  he  got  er  ager. 

"Atter  w'ile  Brer  Rabbit  git  sorter  on  t'er  side,  en  he 
make  a  speech  en  say  dey  oughter  be  a  law  fer  ter  make 
all  de  creeturs  w'at  got  tushes  ketch  en  eat  der  vittles  wid 
der  claws.  All  un  um  'gree  ter  dis  'cep'  hit's  Mr.  Dog, 
Brer  Wolf,  en  Brer  Fox. 

"In  dem  days,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "ef  all  de 
creeturs  aint  'gree,  dey  put  it  off  twel  de  nex'  meetin'  en 
talk  it  over  some  mo',  en  dat's  de  way  dey  done  wid  Brer 
Rabbit  projick.  Dey  put  it  off  twel  de  nex'  time. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  TAKES  A  WALK      313 

"  Brer  Rabbit  got  a  kinder  sneakin'  notion  dat  de  cree- 
turs  aint  gwine  do  lak  he  want  um  ter  do,  en  he  'low  ter 
Brer  Wolf  dat  he  'speck  de  bes'  way  fer  ter  do  is  ter  git 
all  de  creeturs  ter  'gree  fer  ter  have  Mr.  Dog  mouf  sew'd 
up,  'kaze  he  toofs  look  so  venomous;  en  Brer  Wolf  say  dey 
ull  all  go  in  fer  dat. 

"  Sho'  'nuff,  w'en  de  day  done  come,  Brer  Rabbit  he  git 
up  en  say  dat  de  bes'  way  ter  do  is  have  Mr.  Dog  mouf 
sew'd  up  so  he  toofs  won't  look  so  venomous.  Dey  all 
'gree,  en  den  Mr.  Lion,  settin'  up  in  de  arm-cheer,  he  ax 
wrho  gwine  do  de  sewin'. 

"  Den  dey  all  up'n  'low  dat  de  man  w'at  want  de  sewin* 
done,  he  de  man  fer  ter  do  it,  'kaze  den  he  ull  know  it 
done  bin  done  right.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  study,  en  den 
he  'low: 

" '  I  aint  got  no  needle.' 

"Brer  B'ar,  he  sorter  feel  in  de  flap  er  he  coat  collar, 
en  he  'low: 

'*  Yer,  Brer  Rabbit;  yer  a  great  big  one!' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  study  'g'in,  en  den  he  'low: 

"'laintgotnoth'ead.' 

"  Brer  B'ar,  he  tuck'n  pull  a  rav'lin'  fum  de  bottom  er 
he  wescut,  en  he  'low: 

" '  Yer,  Brer  Rabbit ;  yer  a  great  long  one ! ' 

"Ef  it  had  er  bin  anybody  in  de  roun'  worl'  he'd  er 
'gun  ter  feel  sorter  ticklish,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on.  "  But 
ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  des  tuck'n  lay  he  finger  'cross  he  nose, 
en  'low: 

"*Des  hoi'  um  dar  fer  me,  Brer  B'ar,  en  I'll  be  much 


314  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

'blige  ter  you.    Hit  9s  des  'bout  my  time  er  day  fer  ter  take 
a  walk!'" 

Uncle  Remus  laughed  as  heartily  as  the  child,  and  added  : 
"  Some  folks  say  de  creeturs  had  de  grins  on  Brer  Rab 
bit  'bout  dat  time;    but  I  tell  you  right  pine-blank  dey 
aint  grin  much  w'en  dey  year  Brer  Rabbit  say  dat." 


LIV 
OLD  GRINNY  GRANNY  WOLF 

AT  last  Daddy  Jack  returned,  and  the  fact  that  the  little 
boy  had  missed  him  and  inquired  about  him,  seemed  to 
give  the  old  African  particular  pleasure.  It  was  probably 
a  new  experience  to  Daddy  Jack,  and  it  vaguely  stirred 
some  dim  instinct  in  his  bosom  that  impelled  him  to  greet 
the  child  with  more  genuine  heartiness  than  he  had  ever 
displayed  in  all  his  life.  He  drew  the  little  boy  up  to  him, 
patted  him  gently  on  the  cheek,  and  exclaimed : 

"Ki!  I  bin  want  fer  see  you  bery  bahd.  I  bin-a  tell 
you*  nunk  Jeem'  how  fine  noung  man  you  is.  'E  ahx 
wey  you  no  come  fer  shum.  Fine  b'y  —  fine  b'y ! " 

"  Well,  ef  dat 's  de  way  youer  gwine  on,  Brer  Jack, 
you'll  spile  dat  chap  sho'.  A  whole  sack  er  salt  won't 
save  'im. " 

"  I  dunno  'bout  dat,  Brer  Remus,"  said  Aunt  Tempy,  who 
had  come  in.  "  Don't  seem  like  he  bad  like  some  yuther 
childun  w'at  I  seen.  Bless  you,  I  know  childun  w'pt'd 
keep  dish  yer  whole  place  tarryfied — dat  dey  would!" 


OLD  GRINNY  GRANNY  WOLF  315 

"Well,  sir,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  shaking  his  head  and 
groaning,  "you  all  aint  wid  dat  young  un  dar  much  ez  I 
is.  Some  days  w'en  dey  aint  nobody  lookin',  en  dey  aint 
nobody  nowhar  fer  ter  take  keer  un  me,  dat  ar  little  chap 
dar  '11  come  down  yer  en  chunk  me  wid  rocks,  en  'buze 
me  en  holler  at  me  scan'lous." 

The  little  boy  looked  so  shocked  that  Uncle  Remus 
broke  into  a  laugh  that  shook  the  cobwebs  in  the  corners; 
then,  suddenly  relapsing  into  seriousness,  he  drew  himself 
up  with  dignity  and  remarked : 

"Good  er  bad,  you  can't  git  'long  wid  'im  less'n  you 
sets  in  ter  tellin'  tales,  en,  Brer  Jack,  I  hope  you  got  some 
'long  wid  you." 

Daddy  Jack  rubbed  his  hands  together,  and  said : 

"  Me  bin  yeddy  one  tale  ;  'e  mekky  me  lahff  tel  I  is 
'come  tire'." 

"Fer  de  Lord  sake  less  have  it  den!"  exclaimed  Aunt 
Tempy,  with  unction.  Whereupon,  the  small  but  appre 
ciative  audience  disposed  itself  comfortably,  and  Daddy 
Jack,  peering  at  each  one  in  turn,  his  eyes  shining  be 
tween  his  half -closed  lids  as  brightly  as  those  of  some  wild 
animal,  began: 

"  One  tarn  B'er  Rabbit  is  bin  traffel  'roun'  fer  see  'e 
neighbor  folks.  'E  bin  mahd  wit'  B'er  Wolf  fer  so  long 
tarn;  5e  mek  no  diffran,  'e  come  pas'  'e  house  'e  no  see 
nuttin',  'e  no  yeddy  nuttin'.  'E  holler: 

"'Hi,  B'er  Wolf!  wey  you  no  fer  mek  answer  wun  me 
ahx  you  howdy?  Wey  fer  you  is  do  dis  'fo'  me  werry 
face  ?  Wut  mekky  you  do  dis  ? ' 


316  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  'E  wait,  'e  lissun ;  nuttin'  no  mek  answer.  B'er  Rab 
bit,  'e  holler : 

'  *  Come-a  show  you'se'f ,  B'er  Wolf  !  Come-a  show 
you'se'f.  Be  'shame'  fer  not  show  you'se'f  wun  you' 
'quaintun'  come  bisitin'  wey  you  lif ! ' 

"  Nuttin'  't  all  no  mek  answer,  un  B'er  Rabbit  'come 
berry  mahd.  'E  'come  so  mahd  'e  stomp  'e  fut  un  bump 
'e  head  'pon  da  fence-side.  Bumbye  'e  tek  heart,  'e 
y-opun  da  do',  5e  is  look  inside  da  house.  Fier  bu'n  in  da 
chimbly,  pot  set  'pon  da  fier,  ole  ooman  sed  by  da  pot. 
Fier  bu'n,  pot,  'e  bile,  ole  ooman,  'e  tek  'e  nap. 

"  Da  ole  ooman,  'e  ole  Granny  Wolf ;  'e  cripple  in  'e 
leg,  'e  bline  in  'e  y-eye,  'e  mos'  deaf  in  'e  year.  'E  deaf, 
but  'e  bin  yeddy  B'er  Rabbit  mek  fuss  at  da  do',  un  'e  is 
cry  out : 

" '  Come-a  see  you'  ole  Granny,  me  gran'son  —  come-a 
see  you'  Granny !  Da  fier  is  bin  bu'n,  da  pot  is  bin  b'ile ; 
come-a  fix  you'  Granny  some  bittle,1  me  gran'son/  " 

Daddy  Jack's  representation  of  the  speech  and  action  of 
an  old  woman  was  worth  seeing  and  hearing.  The  little 
boy  laughed,  and  Uncle  Remus  smiled  good-humoredly; 
but  Aunt  Tempy  looked  at  the  old  African  with  open- 
mouthed  astonishment.  Daddy  Jack,  however,  cared 
nothing  for  any  effect  he  might  produce.  He  told  the 
story  for  the  story's  sake,  and  he  made  no  pause  for  the 
purpose  of  guaging  the  appreciation  of  his  audience. 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is  bin  mek  'ese'f  comfuts  by  da  fier. 
Bumbye,  'e  holler: 

1  Victuals. 


OLD  GRINNY  GRANNY  WOLF  317 

*  *  Hi,  Granny !  I  bin  cripple  mese'f ;  me  y-eye  bin-a 
come  bline.  You  mus'  bile-a  me  in  da  water,  Granny, 
so  me  leg  is  kin  come  well,  un  so  me  y-eye  kin  come 
see/ 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  mighty  ha'd  fer  fool.  'E  bin  tek  'im 
one  chunk  woot,  'e  drap  da  woot  in  da  pot.  'E  bin  say: 

"I  is  bin  feelin'  well,  me  Granny.  Me  leg,  'e  comin' 
strong,  me  y-eye  'e  fix  fer  see.' 

"  Granny  Wolf,  'e  shek  'e  head ;  'e  cry : 

' *  Me  one  leg  cripple,  me  turrer  leg  cripple ;  me  one  eye 
bline,  me  turrer  y-eye  bline.  Wey  you  no  fer  pit  me  in  da 
pot  fer  mek  me  well  ? ' 

" B'er  Rabbit  laff  in  'e  belly;  'e  say: 

"'Hoi'  youse'f  still,  me  Granny;  I  fix  you  one  place 
in  da  pot  wey  you  is  kin  fetch-a  back  da  strenk  in  you' 
leg  un  da  sight  in  you'  eye.  Hoi'  still,  me  Granny ! ' 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  is  bin  tekky  da  chunk  y-out  da  pot;  'e 
tekky  da  chunk,  un  'e  is  bin  pit  Granny  Wolf  in  dey  place. 
'E  tetch  da  water,  'e  holler : 

" '  Ow !  tekky  me  way  fum  dis ! ' 

"B'er  Rabbit  say  'tiss  not  da  soon  'nuff  tarn.  Granny 
Wolf, 'e  holler: 

' '  Ow !  tekky  me  way  fum  dis !   'E  bin  too  hot ! ' 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  no  tekky  da  Mammy  Wolf  fum  da 
pot,  un  bumbye  'e  die  in  dey.  B'er  Rabbit  'e  tek  'e  bone 
un  t'row  um  'way;  'e  leaf  da  meat.  'E  tek  Granny  Wolf 
frock,  'e  tu'n  um  'roun',  'e  pit  um  on;  'e  tek  Granny  Wolf 
cap,  'e  tu'n  'roun',  'e  pit  um  on.  'E  sed  deer  by  da  fier, 
'e  hoi'  'e'se'f  in  'e  cheer  sem  lak  Granny  Wolf. 


318  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Bumbye  B'er  Wolf  is  bin-a  come  back.  'E  walk  in 
*e  house,  'e  say: 

" '  Me  honkry,  Grinny-Granny !  Me  honkry,  fer  true ! ' 
"  You'  dinner  ready,  Grin'son-Gran'son!' 

"B'er  Wolf,  'e  look  in  da  pot,  'e  smell  in  da  pot,  'e 
stir  in  da  pot.  'E  eat  'e  dinner,  'e  smack  'e  mout'." 

The  little  boy  shuddered,  and  Aunt  Tempy  exclaimed, 
"In  de  name  er  de  Lord!"  The  old  African  paid  no 
attention  to  either. 

"  B'er  Wolf  eat  'e  dinner;  'e  call  'e  chilluns,  'e  ahx  um  is 
dey  no  want  nuttin'  't  all  fer  eat.    'E  holler  back : 
1 1  We  no  kin  eat  we  Grinny-Granny ! ' 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  run  'way  fum  dey-dey;  'e  holler  back: 

"B'er  Wolf,  you  is  bin  eat  you'  Grinny-Granny.' 

"B'er  Wolf  bin-a  git  so  mad  'e  yent  mos'  kin  see.  'E 
yeddy  B'er  Rabbit  holler,  un  'e  try  fer  ketch  um.  'E  feer 
teer  up  da  grass  wey  'e  run  'long.  Bumbye  'e  come  'pon 
B'er  Rabbit.  'E  is  bin  push  um  ha'd.  B'er  Rabbit  run 
un-a  run  tel  'e  yent  kin  run  no  mo' ;  'e  hide  'neat'  leanin* 
tree.  B'er  Wolf,  'e  fine  um;  B'er  Rabbit  'e  holler: 

"'Hi!  B'er  Wolf!  mek  'as'e  come  hoi'  up  da  tree,  'fo' 
'e  is  fall  dey-dey;  come-a  hoi'  um,  B'er  Wolf,  so  I  is  kin 
prop  um  up.' 

"B'er  Wolf,  'e  hoi'  up  da  tree  fer  B'er  Rabbit;  'e  hoF 
um  till  'e  do  come  tire'.  B'er  Rabbit  gone!" 

Daddy  Jack  paused.  His  story  was  ended.  The  little 
boy  drew  a  long  breath  and  said: 

"  I  did  n't  think  Brother  Rabbit  would  burn  anybody 
to  death  in  a  pot  of  boiling  water." 


HOW  WATTLE  WEASEL  WAS  CAUGHT    319 

"  Dat,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  reassuringly,  "  wuz  endurin' 
er  de  dog  days.  Dey  er  mighty  worn  times,  mon,  dem  ar 
dog  days  is." 

This  was  intended  to  satisfy  such  scruples  as  the  child 
might  have,  and  it  was  no  doubt  successful,  for  the  young 
ster  said  no  more,  but  watched  Uncle  Remus  as  the  latter 
leisurely  proceeded  to  fill  his  pipe. 


LV 
HOW  WATTLE  WEASEL  WAS  CAUGHT 

UNCLE  REMUS  chipped  the  tobacco  from  the  end  of  a  plug, 
rubbed  it  between  the  palms  of  his  hands,  placed  it  in  his 
pipe,  dipped  the  pipe  in  the  glowing  embers,  and  leaned 
back  in  his  chair,  and  seemed  to  be  completely  happy. 

"  Hit  mought  not  er  bin  endurin'  er  de  dog  days,"  said 
the  old  man,  recurring  to  Daddy  Jack's  story,  "  'kaze  dey 
wuz  times  dat  w'en  dey  push  ole  Brer  Rabbit  so  close  he 
'uz  des  bleedz  ter  git  he  revengeance  out'n  um.  Dat 
mought  er  bin  de  marter  'twix'  him  en  ole  Grinny-Granny 
Wolf,  'kaze  w'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  git  he  dander  up,  he  'uz 
a  monst'us  bad  man  fer  ter  fool  wid. 

"  Dey  tuck  atter  'im,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "  en  dey 
'buzed  'im,  en  dey  tried  ter  'stroy  'im,  but  dey  wuz  times 
w'en  de  t'er  creeturs  bleedz  ter  call  on  'im  fer  ter  he'p  'em 
out  dey  trouble.  I  aint  nev'  tell  you  'bout  little  Wattle 
Weasel,  is  I  ? "  asked  the  old  man,  suddenly  turning  to 
the  little  boy. 


320  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

The  child  laughed.  The  dogs  on  the  plantation  had 
killed  a  weasel  a  few  nights  before,  —  a  very  cunning- 
looking  little  animal,  —  and  some  of  the  negroes  had  sent 
it  to  the  big  house  as  a  curiosity.  He  connected  this  fact 
with  Uncle  Remus's  allusions  to  the  weasel.  Before  he 
could  make  any  reply,  however,  the  old  man  went  on : 

"  No,  I  boun'  I  aint,  en  it  come  'cross  me  right  fresh  en 
hot  time  I  year  talk  er  Brer  Wolf  eatin'  he  granny.  Dey 
wuz  one  time  w'en  all  de  creeturs  wuz  livin'  in  de  same 
settlement  en  usin'  out'n  de  same  spring,  en  it  got  so  dat 
dey  put  all  dey  butter  in  de  same  piggin'.  Dey  put  it  in 
dar,  dey  did,  en  dey  put  it  in  de  spring-house,  en  dey'd 
go  off  en  'ten'  ter  dey  business.  Den  w'en  dey  come  back 
dey  'd  fine  whar  some  un  been  nibblin'  at  dey  butter.  Dey 
tuck'n  hide  dat  butter  all  'roun'  in  de  spring-house;  dey 
sot  it  on  de  rafters,  en  dey  bury  it  in  de  san';  yit  all  de 
same  de  butter  'ud  come  up  missin'. 

"Bimeby  it  got  so  dey  dunner  w'at  ter  do;  dey  zamin' 
de  tracks,  en  dey  fine  out  dat  de  man  w'at  nibble  dey  butter 
is  little  Wattle  Weasel.  He  come  in  de  night,  he  come  in 
de  day;  dey  can't  ketch  'im.  Las'  de  creeturs  tuck'n  helt 
er  confab,  en  dey  'gree  dat  dey  hatter  set  some  un  fer  ter 
watch  en  ketch  Wattle  Weasel. 

"  Brer  Mink  wuz  de  fus'  man  'p'inted,  'kaze  he  wa'n't 
mo'n  a  half  a  han' l  no  way  you  kin  fix  it.  De  t'er  creeturs 
dey  tuck'n  went  off  ter  dey  wuk,  en  Brer  Mink  he  tuck'n 
sot  up  wid  de  butter.  He  watch  en  he  lissen,  he  lissen  en 
he  watch;  he  aint  see  nothin',  he  aint  year  nothin'.  Yit 
1  That  is,  could  do  no  more  than  half  the  work  of  a  man. 


HOW  WATTLE  WEASEL  WAS  CAUGHT     321 

he  watch,  'kaze  der  t'er  creeturs  done  fix  up  a  law  dat  ef 
Wattle  Weasel  come  w'iles  somebody  watchin'  en  git  off 
bidout  gittin'  kotch,  de  man  w'at  watchin'  aint  kin  eat  no 
mo'  butter  endurin'  er  dat  year. 

"  Brer  Mink,  he  watch  en  he  wait.  He  set  so  still  dat 
birneby  he  git  de  cramps  in  de  legs,  en  des  'bout  dat  time 
little  Wattle  Weasel  pop  he  head  und'  de  do'.  He  see 
Brer  Mink,  en  he  hail  'im : 

"Heyo,  Brer  Mink!  you  look  sorter  lonesome  in  dar. 
Come  out  yer  en  less  take  a  game  er  hidin' -switch/ 

"Brer  Mink,  he  wanter  have  some  fun,  he  did,  en  he 
tuck'n  jine  Wattle  Weasel  in  de  game.  Dey  play  en  dey 
play  twel,  bimeby,  Brer  Mink  git  so  wo'  out  dat  he  aint 
kin  run,  skacely,  en  des  soon  ez  dey  sets  down  ter  res', 
Brer  Mink,  he  draps  off  ter  sleep.  Little  Wattle  Weasel, 
so  mighty  big  en  fine,  he  goes  en  nibbles  up  de  butter,  en 
pops  out  de  way  he  come  in. 

"  De  creeturs,  dey  come  back,  dey  did,  en  dey  fine  de 
butter  nibbled,  en  Wattle  Wreasel  gone.  Wid  dat,  dey 
marks  Brer  Mink  down,  en  he  aint  kin  eat  no  mo'  butter 
dat  year.  Den  dey  fix  up  'n'er  choosement  en  'p'int  Brer 
Possum  fer  ter  watch  de  butter. 

"  Brer  Possum,  he  grin  en  watch,  and  bimeby,  sho'  'nuff, 
in  pop  little  Wattle  Weasel.  He  come  in,  he  did,  en  he 
sorter  hunch  Brer  Possum  in  de  short  ribs,  en  ax  'im  how 
he  come  on.  Brer  Possum  mighty  ticklish,  en  time  Wattle 
Weasel  totch  'im  in  de  short  ribs,  he  'gun  ter  laugh.  Wat 
tle  Weasel  totch  'im  ag'in  en  laugh  wusser,  en  he  keep  on 
hunchin'  'im  dat  a-way  twel  bimeby  Brer  Possum  laugh 


322  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

hisse'f  plum  outer  win',  en  Wattle  Weasel  lef  'im  dar  en 
nibble  up  de  butter. 

"De  creeturs,  dey  tuck'n  mark  Brer  Possum  down,  en 
'p'int  Brer  Coon.  Brer  Coon,  he  tuck'n  start  in  all  so 
mighty  fine ;  but  w'iles  he  settin'  dar,  little  Wattle  Weasel 
banter  'im  fer  a  race  up  de  branch.  No  sooner  say  dan  yer 
dey  went!  Brer  Coon,  he  foller  de  tu'ns  er  de  branch,  en 
little  Wattle  Weasel  he  take'n  take  nigh  cuts,  en  't  wa'n't 
no  time  'fo'  he  done  run  Brer  Coon  plum  down.  Den  dey 
run  down  de  branch,  and  'fo'  Brer  Coon  kin  ketch  up  wid 
'im,  dat  little  Wattle  Weasel  done  got  back  ter  de  noggin 
er  butter,  en  nibble  it  up. 

"Den  de  creeturs  tuck'n  mark  Brer  Coon  down,  dey 
did,  en  'p'int  Brer  Fox  fer  ter  watch  de  butter.  Wattle 
Weasel  sorter  'fear'd  'er  Brer  Fox.  He  study  long  time, 
en  den  he  wait  twel  night.  Den  he  tuck'n  went  'roun'  in 
de  ole  fiel'  en  woke  up  de  Killdees  1  en  druv  'roun'  todes 
de  spring-house.  Brer  Fox  year  um  holler,  en  it  make  he 
mouf  water.  Bimeby,  he  'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  'taint  no 
harm  ef  he  go  out  en  slip  up  on  one." 

"Dar  now!"   said  Aunt  Tern py. 

"  Brer  Fox  tuck'n  slip  out,  en  Wattle  Weasel  he  slicked 
in,  en  bless  yo'  soul!  dar  goes  de  butter!  " 

"  Enty ! "   exclaimed  Daddy  Jack. 

"Brer  Fox   he  git   marked   down,"   continued   Uncle 

Remus,  "  en  den  de  creeturs  tuck'n  'p'int  Brer  Wolf  fer 

ter  be  dey  watcher.     Brer  Wolf,  he  sot  up  dar,  he  did,  en 

sorter  nod,  but  bimeby  he  year  some  un  talkin'  outside  de 

1  Killdeers  —  a  species  of  plover. 


HOW  WATTLE  WEASEL  WAS  CAUGHT     323 

spring-house.  He  h'ist  up  he  years  en  lissen.  Look  lak 
some  er  de  creeturs  wuz  gwine  by,  en  talkin'  'mungs' 
deysef ;  but  all  Brer  Wolf  kin  year  is  dish  yer: 

" '  I  wonder  who  put  dat  ar  young  sheep  down  dar  by 
de  chinkapin  tree,  en  I  like  ter  know  wharbouts  Brer 
Wolf  is.' 

"Den  it  seem  lak  dey  pass  on,  en  ole  Brer  Wolf,  he 
fergotted  w'at  he  in  dar  fer,  en  he  dash  down  ter  de  chin 
kapin  tree,  fer  ter  git  de  young  sheep.  But  no  sheep  dar, 
en  w'en  he  git  back,  he  see  signs  whar  Wattle  Weasel 
done  bin  in  dar  en  nibble  de  butter. 

"  Den  de  creeturs  tuck'n  mark  Brer  Wolf  down,  en 
'p'int  Brer  B'ar  fer  ter  keep  he  eye  'pun  de  noggin  er 
butter.  Brer  B'ar  he  tuck'n  sot  up  dar,  he  did,  en  lick  he 
paw,  en  feel  good.  Bimeby  Wattle  Weasel  come  dancin' 
in.  He  'low: 

' '  Heyo,  Brer  B'ar,  how  you  come  on  ?  I  'low'd  I  yeard 
you  snortin'  in  yer,  en  I  des  drapt  in  fer  ter  see.' 

"  Brer  B'ar  tell  him  howdy,  but  he  sorter  keep  one  eye 
on  'im.  Little  Wattle  Weasel  'low: 

' '  En  you  got  ticks  on  yo'  back,  Brer  B'ar  ? ' 

"  Wid  dat  Wattle  Weasel  'gun  ter  rub  Brer  B'ar  on  de 
back  en  scratch  'im  on  de  sides,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  'uz 
stretch  out  fast  asleep  en  sno'in'  lak  a  saw-mill.  Co'se 
WTattle  Weasel  git  de  butter.  Brer  B'ar  he  got  marked 
down,  and  den  de  creeturs  aint  know  w'at  dey  gwine  do 
skacely. 

"  Some  say  sen'  fer  Brer  Rabbit,  some  say  sen'  fer  Brer 
Tarrypin;  but  las'  dey  sent  fer  Brer  Rabbit.  Brer  Rabbit, 


324  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

he  tuck  a  notion  dat  dey  'uz  fixin'  up  some  kinder  trick  on 
'im,  en  dey  hatter  beg  mightily,  mon,  'fo'  he  'ud  come  en 
set  up  'longside  er  dey  butter. 

"  But  bimeby  he  'greed,  en  he  went  down  ter  de  spring- 
house  en  look  'roun'.  Den  he  tuck'n  got  'im  a  twine 
string,  en  hide  hisse'f  whar  he  kin  keep  he  eye  on  de 
noggin  er  butter.  He  aint  wait  long  'fo'  yer  come  Wattle 
Weasel.  Des  ez  he  'bout  ter  nibble  at  de  butter,  Brer 
Rabbit  holler  out: 

"'Let  dat  butter 'lone!' 

"Wattle  Weasel  jump  back  lak  de  butter  bu'nt  'im. 
He  jump  back,  he  did,  en  say: 

"'Sho'ly  dat  mus'  be  Brer  Rabbit! 

"'De  same.  I  'low'd  you'd  know  me.  Des  let  dat 
butter  'lone.' 

"'Des  lemme  git  one  little  bit  er  tas'e,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

"'Des  let  dat  butter  'lone.' 

"  Den  Wattle  Weasel  say  he  want  er  run  a  race.  Brer 
Rabbit  'low  he  tired.  Wattle  Weasel  'low  he  want  er  play 
hidin'.  Brer  Rabbit  'low  dat  all  he  hidin'  days  is  pas'  en 
gone.  Wattle  Weasel  banter'd  en  banter'd  'im,  en  bimeby 
Brer  Rabbit  come  up  wid  a  banter  er  he  own. 

"  I  '11  take'n  tie  yo'  tail,'  sezee,  *  en  you  '11  take'n  tie 
mine,  en  den  we'll  see  w'ich  tail  de  strongest.'  Little 
Wattle  Weasel  know  how  weakly  Brer  Rabbit  tail  is,  but 
he  aint  know  how  strong  Brer  Rabbit  bin  wid  he  tricks. 
So  dey  tuck'n  tie  der  tails  wid  Brer  Rabbit  twine  string. 

"  Wattle  Weasel  wuz  ter  stan'  inside  en  Brer  Rabbit  wuz 
ter  stan'  outside,  en  dey  wuz  ter  pull  g'in'  one  er  n'er  wid 


BROTHER  RABBIT  TIES  MR.  LION      325 

dey  tails.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  slip  out'n  de  string,  en 
tie  de  een'  'roun'  a  tree  root,  en  den  he  went  en  peep  at 
Wattle  Weasel  tuggin'  en  pullin'.  Bimeby  Wattle  Weasel 
'low: 

" '  Come  en  ontie  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  'kaze  you  done  out- 
pull  me.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  sot  dar,  he  did,  en  chaw  he  cud,  en  look 
lak  he  feel  sorry  'bout  sump'n'.  Bimeby  all  de  creeturs 
come  fer  ter  see  'bout  dey  butter,  'kaze  dey  fear'd  Brer 
Rabbit  done  make  way  wid  it.  Yit  w'en  dey  see  little 
Wattle  Weasel  tie  by  de  tail,  dey  make  great  'miration 
'bout  Brer  Rabbit,  en  dey  'low  he  de  smartest  one  er  de 
whole  gang." 

LVI 
BROTHER  RABBIT  TIES  MR.  LION 

THERE  was  some  comment  and  some  questions  were 
asked  by  the  little  boy  in  regard  to  Wattle  Weasel  and 
the  other  animals ;  to  all  of  which  Uncle  Remus  made 
characteristic  response.  Aunt  Tempy  sat  with  one  elbow 
on  her  knee,  her  head  resting  in  the  palm  of  her  fat  hand. 
She  gazed  intently  into  the  fire,  and  seemed  to  be  lost  in 
thought.  Presently  she  exclaimed :  — 

"Well,  de  Lord  he'p  my  soul!" 

"Dat's  de  promise,  Sis  Tempy,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
solemnly. 

Aunt  Tempy  laughed,  as  she  straightened  herself  in 
her  chair,  and  said: 


326  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  I  des  knowed  dey  wuz  sump'n'  'n'er  gwine  'cross  my 
min'  w'en  I  year  talk  'bout  dat  ar  sheep  by  de  chinkapin 
tree." 

"Out  wid  it,  Sis  Tempy,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  by  way 
of  encouragement  ;  "out  wid  it;  free  yo'  min',  en  des 
make  yo'se'f  welcome." 

"No  longer'n  Sunday  'fo'  las',  I  'uz  'cross  dar  at  de 
Spivey  place  un  I  tuck'n  year'd  a  nigger  man  tellin'  de 
same  tale,  un  I  'low  ter  myse'f  dat  I  'd  take'n  take  it  un 
kyar'  it  home  un  gin  it  out  w'en  I  come  ter  pass  de  time 
wid  Brer  Remus  un  all  uv  um.  I  'low  ter  myse'f  I  '11  take 
it  un  kyar'  it  dar,  un  I  '11  des  tell  it  my  own  way." 

"Well,  den,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  approvingly,  "me  en 
dish  yer  chap,  we  er  willin'  en  a-waitin',  en  ez  fer  Brer 
Jack  over  dar,  we  kin  say  de  same  fer  him,  'kaze  I  up  en 
year  'im  draw  mighty  long  breff  des  now  lak  he  fixin'  fer 
ter  snort.  But  you  neenter  min'  dat  ole  creetur,  Sis  Tempy. 
Des  push  right  ahead." 

"  Ah-h-h-e-e ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  snapping  his 
bright  little  eyes  at  Uncle  Remus  with  some  display  of 
irritation;  "you  tek-a  me  fer  be  sleep  ebry  tarn  I  shed-a 
me  y-eye,  you  is  mek  fool-a  you'se'f.  Warrah  yarrah 
garrah  tarrah  !  "  x 

"  Brer  Remus ! "  said  Aunt  Tempy,  in  an  awed  whisper, 
"maybe  he's  a-cunju'n  un  you." 

"  No-no ! "   exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  snappishly,  "  me  no 

1  This  is  simply  "  gullah  "  negro  talk  intended  to  be  unintelligible, 
and  therefore  impressive.  It  means  "  One  or  the  other  is  as  good  as 
t'other." 


BROTHER  RABBIT  TIES  MR.  LION      327 

cimcher  no'n'  '  t  all.  Wun  me  cuncher  you  all  you  yeddy 
bone  crack.  Enty ! " 

"Well,  in  de  name  er  de  Lord,  don't  come  a-cunju'n 
wid  me,  'kaze  I  'm  des  as  peaceable  ez  de  day  's  long,"  said 
Aunt  Tempy. 

Uncle  Remus  smiled  and  closed  his  eyes  with  an  air 
of  disdain,  caught  from  his  old  Mistress,  the  little  boy's 
grandmother,  long  since  dead. 

"Tell  yo'  tale,  Sis  Tempy,"  he  said  pleasantly,  "en 
leave  de  talk  er  cunju'n  ter  de  little  nigger  childun.  We  er 
done  got  too  ole  fer  dat  kinder  foolishness." 

This  was  for  the  ear  of  the  little  boy.  In  his  heart 
Uncle  Remus  was  convinced  that  Daddy  Jack  was  capa 
ble  of  changing  himself  into  the  blackest  of  black  cats, 
with  swollen  tail,  arched  back,  fiery  eyes,  and  protruding 
fangs.  But  the  old  man's  attitude  reassured  Aunt  Tempy, 
as  well  as  the  child,  and  forthwith  she  proceeded  with  her 
story : 

"  Hit  seem  like  dat  one  time  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  fine  his- 
se'f  way  off  in  de  middle  er  de  woods,  de  win'  strike  up  un 
'gun  ter  blow.  Hit  blow  down  on  de  groun'  un  it  blow 
up  in  de  top  er  de  timber,  un  it  blow  so  hard  twel  ter- 
reckerly  Brer  Rabbit  tuck  a  notion  dat  he  better  git  out 
fum  dar  'fo'  de  timber  'gun  ter  fall. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  broke  en  run,  un,  Man  —  Sir!1  w'en 
dat  creetur  run'd  he  run'd,  now  you  year  w'at  I  tell  yer! 
He  broke  un  run,  he  did,  un  he  fa'rly  flew  'way  fum  dar. 

1  An  expression  used  to  give  emphasis  and  to  attract  attention  ;  used  in 
the  sense  that  Uncle  Remus  uses  "  Gentennens !  " 


328  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Wiles  he  gwine  'long  full  tilt,  he  run'd  ag'in'  ole  Mr. 
Lion.  Mr.  Lion,  he  hail  'im: 

"  *  Heyo,  Brer  Rabbit !  Wat  yo'  hurry  ? ' 

"'Run,  Mr.  Lion,  run!  Dey's  a  harrycane  comin' 
back  dar  in  de  timbers.  You  better  run ! ' 

"Dis  make  Mr.  Lion  sorter  skeer'd.    He  'low: 

"  *  I  mos'  too  heavy  fer  ter  run  fur,  Brer  Rabbit.  Wat 
I  gwine  do  ? ' 

"'Lay  down,  Mr.  Lion,  lay  down!  Git  close  ter  de 
groun' ! ' 

"  Mr.  Lion  shake  his  head.   He  'low : 

"  *  Ef  win'  lierbul  fer  ter  pick  up  little  man  like  you  is, 
Brer  Rabbit,  w'at  it  gwine  do  wid  big  man  like  me  ? ' 

' '  Hug  a  tree,  Mr.  Lion,  hug  a  tree ! ' 

"  Mr.  Lion  lash  hisse'f  wid  his  tail.    He  'low : 

"Wat  I  gwine  do  ef  de  win'  blow  all  day  un  a  good 
part  er  de  night,  Brer  Rabbit  ? ' 

" '  Lemme  tie  you  ter  de  tree,  Mr.  Lion !  lemrne  tie  you 
ter  de  tree!' 

"Mr.  Lion,  he  tuk'n  'gree  ter  dis,  un  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
got  'im  a  hick'ry  split l  un  tie  'im  hard  un  fast  ter  de  tree. 
Den  he  tuck'n  sot  down,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  did,  un  wash  his 
face  un  han's  des  same  ez  you  see  de  cats  doin'.  Terreck- 
erly  Mr.  Lion  git  tired  er  stan'in'  dar  huggin'  de  tree,  un 
he  ax  Brer  Rabbit  w'at  de  reason  he  aint  keep  on  runnin', 
un  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  'low  dat  he  gwine  ter  stay  der  un 
take  keer  Mr.  Lion. 

"  Terreckerly  Mr.  Lion  say  he  aint  year  no  harrycane. 

1  Hickory  withe. 


BROTHER  RABBIT  TIES   MR.  LION      329 

Brer  Rabbit  say  he  aint  needer.  Mr.  Lion  say  he  aint 
year  no  win'  a-blowin'.  Brer  Rabbit  say  he  aint  needer. 
Mr.  Lion  say  he  aint  so  much  ez  year  a  leaf  a-stirrin'. 
Brer  Rabbit  say  he  aint  needer.  Mr.  Lion  sorter  study,  un 
Brer  Rabbit  sot  dar,  he  did,  un  wash  his  face  un  lick  his 
paws. 

"Terreckerly  Mr.  Lion  ax  Brer  Rabbit  fer  ter  onloose 
'im.  Brer  Rabbit  say  he  fear'd.  Den  Mr.  Lion  git  mighty 
mad,  un  he  'gun  ter  beller  wuss'n  one  er  deze  yer  bull- 
yearlin's.  He  beller  so  long  un  he  beller  so  loud  twel 
preserit'y  de  t'er  creeturs  dey  'gun  ter  come  up  fer  ter  see 
w'at  de  matter. 

"  Des  soon  ez  dey  come  up,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  'gun 
ter  talk  biggity  un  strut  'roun',  un,  Man  —  Sir!  w'en  dem 
yuthers  see  dat  Brer  Rabbit  done  got  Mr.  Lion  tied  up, 
I  let  you  know  dey  tuck'n  walked  way  'roun'  'im,  un 
't  wuz  many  a  long  day  'fo'  dey  tuck'n  pestered  ole  Brer 
Rabbit." 

Here  Aunt  Tempy  paused.  The  little  boy  asked  what 
Brother  Rabbit  tied  Mr.  Lion  for;  but  she  did  n't  know; 
Uncle  Remus,  however,  came  to  the  rescue. 

"  One  time  long  'fo'  dat,  honey,  Brer  Rabbit  went  ter  de 
branch  fer  ter  git  a  drink  er  water,  en  ole  Mr.  Lion  tuck'n 
druv  'im  off,  en  fum  dat  time  out  Brer  Rabbit  bin  huntin' 
a  chance  fer  ter  ketch  up  wid  'im." 

"Dat's  so,"  said  Aunt  Tempy,  and  then  she  added: 

"  I  'clare  I  aint  gwine  tell  you  all  not  na'er  n'er  tale, 
dat  I  aint.  'Kaze  you  des  set  dar  en  you  aint  crack  a  smile 
fum  de  time  I  begin.  Ef  dat  'd  'a'  bin  Brer  Remus,  now, 


330          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

dey'd  V  bin  mo'  gigglin'  gwine  on  dan  you  kin  shake  a 
stick  at.    I  'm  right  down  mad,  dat  I  is." 

"Well,  I  tell  you  dis,  Sis  Tempy,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
with  unusual  emphasis,  "ef  deze  yer  tales  wuz  des  fun, 
fun,  fun,  en  giggle,  giggle,  giggle,  I  let  you  know  I'd 
a-done  drapt  um  long  ago.  Yasser,  w'en  it  come  down 
ter  gigglin'  you  kin  des  count  ole  Remus  out." 


LVII 
MR.  LION'S  SAD  PREDICAMENT 

THE  discussion  over  Aunt  Tempy's  fragmentary  story 
having  exhausted  itself,  Daddy  Jack  turned  up  his  coat 
collar  until  it  was  as  high  as  the  top  of  his  head,  and  then 
tried  to  button  it  under  his  chin.  If  this  attempt  had 
been  successful,  the  old  African  would  have  presented 
a  diabolical  appearance;  but  the  coat  refused  to  be  but 
toned  in  that  style.  After  several  attempts,  which  created 
no  end  of  amusement  for  the  little  boy,  Daddy  Jack  said : 

"Da  Lion,  'e  no  hab  bin  sma't  lak  B'er  Rabbit.  'E 
strong  wit'  'e  fut,  'e  strong  wit'  'e  tush,  but  'e  no  strong 
wit'  'e  head.  'E  bery  foolish,  'cep'  'e  is  bin  hab  chance 
ter  jump  'pon  dem  creetur. 

"One  tarn  'e  bin  come  by  B'er  Rabbit  in  da  road;  'e 
ahx  um  howdy;  'e  ahx  um  wey  'e  gwan.  B'er  Rabbit 
say  'e  gwan  git  fum  front  de  Buckra  Man  wut  bin  comin* 
'long  da  road.  B'er  Rabbit  say: 

"'Hide  you'se'f,  B'er  Lion;  da  Buckra  ketch-a  you  fer 


MR.  LION'S  SAD  PREDICAMENT         331 

true;  'e  is  bin  ketch-a  you  tarn  he  pit  'e  y-eye  'pon  you; 
'e  mekky  you  sick  wit'  sorry.  Hide  fum  da  Buckra,  B'er 
Lion!' 

"  Da  Lion,  'e  shekky  'e  head;   'e  say: 

" '  Ki !  Me  no  skeer  da  Buckra  Man.  I  glad  fer  shum. 
I  ketch  um  un  I  kyar  um  wey  I  lif ;  me  hab  da  Buckra 
Man  fer  me  bittle.  How  come  you  bein'  skeer  da  Buckra 
Man,  B'er  Rabbit?' 

"  B'er  Rabbit  look  all  'bout  fer  see  ef  da  Buckra  bin 
com  in'.  'E  say: 

'  *  Me  hab  plenty  reason,  B'er  Lion.  Da  Buckra  Man 
shoot-a  wit'  one  gun.  'E  r'ise  um  too  'e  y-eye,  'e  p'int  um 
stret  toze  you ;  'e  say  bang  !  one  tarn,  'e  say  bang  !  two  tarn : 
dun  you  is  bin  git  hu't  troo  da  head  un  cripple  in  da  leg.5 

"  Lion,  'e  shek  'e  head;   'e  say: 

"'Me  no  skeer  da  Buckra  Man.  I  grab-a  da  gun.  I 
ketch  um  fer  me  brekwus.' 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  lahff;   'e  say: 

"Him  quare  fer  true.  Me  skeer  da  Buckra,  me  no 
skeer  you ;  but  you  no  skeer  da  Buckra.  How  come  dis  ? ' 

"Da  Lion  lash  'e  tail;   'e  say: 

"Me  no  skeer  da  Buckra,  but  me  skeer  da  Pa'tridge; 
me  berry  skeer  da  Pa'tridge.' 

"  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  lahff  tel  'e  kin  lahff  no  mo'.   'E  say: 

" '  How  come  you  skeer  da  Pa'tridge  ?  'E  fly  wun  you 
wink-a  you' eye ;  'e  run  un 'e  fly.  Hoo!  me  no  skeer 'bout 
dem  Pa'tridge.  Me  skeer  da  Buckra.' 

"  Da  Lion,  'e  look  all  'bout  fer  see  ef  da  Pa'tridge  bin 
comin'.  'E  say: 


332  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

" '  I  skeer  da  Pa'tridge.  Wun  me  bin  walk  in  da  bush- 
side,  da  Pa'tridge  'e  hoi'  right  still  'pon  da  groun'  tel  me 
come  dey-dey,  un  dun  'e  fly  up  —  fud-d-d-d-d-d-e-e  I 
Wun  'e  is  bin  do  dat  me  is  git-a  skeer  berry  bahd.' ' 

No  typographical  device  could  adequately  describe 
Daddy  Jack's  imitation  of  the  flushing  of  a  covey  of 
partridges,  or  quail;  but  it  is  needless  to  say  that  it  made 
its  impression  upon  the  little  boy.  The  old  African  went 
on: 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  holler  un  lahff;  'e  say: 

' 'Me  no  skeer  da  Pa'tridge.  I  bin  run  dem  up  ebry 
day.  Da  no  hu't-a  you,  B'er  Lion.  You  hoi'  you'  eye 
'pon  da  Buckra  Man.  Da  Pa'tridge,  'e  no  hab  no  gun 
fer  shoot-a  you  wit';  da  Buckra,  'e  is  bin  hab  one  gun 
two  tarn.1  Let  da  Pa'tridge  fly,  B'er  Lion;  but  wun  da 
Buckra  Man  come  you  bes'  keep  in  de  shady  side.  I  tell 
you  dis,  B'er  Lion.' 

"Da  Lion,  'e  stan'  um  down  'e  no  skeer  da  Buckra 
Man,  un  bimeby  'e  say  goo'-bye;  'e  say  'e  gwan  look  fer 
da  Buckra  Man  fer  true. 

"So  long  tarn,  B'er  Rabbit  is  bin  yeddy  one  big  fuss  in 
da  timber  ;  'e  yeddy  da  Lion  v'ice.  B'er  Rabbit  foller  da 
fuss  tel  'e  is  bin  come  'pon  da  Lion  wey  'e  layin'  'pon 
da  groun'.  Da  Lion,  'e  is  moan  ;  'e  is  groan  ;  'e  is  cry. 
'E  hab  hole  in  'e  head,  one,  two,  t'ree  hole  in  'e  side;  'e 
holler,  'e  groan.  B'er  Rabbit,  'e  ahx  um  howdy.  'E  say: 
' '  Ki,  B'er  Lion,  wey  you  hab  fine  so  much  trouble  ? ' 

"  Da  Lion,  'e  moan,  'e  groan,  'e  cry;  'e  say: 

1  One  gun  two  times  is  a  double-barrelled  gun. 


MR.    LION'S   SAD   PREDICAMENT        333 

' '  Ow,  ma  Lord !  I  hab  one  hole  in  me  head,  one,  two, 
t'ree  hole  in  me  side,  me  leg  bin  bruk ! ' 

"B'er  Rabbit  bin  hoi'  'e  head  'pon  one  side;  'e  look 
skeer.  'E  say: 

"Ki,  B'er  Lion!  I  no  know  da  Pa'tridge  is  so  bahd 
lak  dat.  I  t'ink  'e  fly  'way  un  no  hu't-a  you.  Shuh-shuh! 
wun  I  see  dem  Pa'tridge  I  mus'  git  'pon  turrer  side  fer 
keep  me  hide  whole.' 

"  Da  Lion,  'e  groan,  'e  moan,  'e  cry.    B'er  Rabbit,  'e  say: 

k '  Da  Pa'tridge,  'e  berry  bahd  ;  'e  mus'  bin  borry  da 
Buckra  Man  gun/ 

"Da  Lion,  'e  groan,  'e  cry: 

*  'E  no  da  Pa'tridge  no'n  'tall.    Da  Buckra  Man  is  bin 
stan'  way  off  un  shoot-a  me  wit '  'e  gun.   Ow,  ma  Lord ! ' 

"B'er  Rabbit,  'e  h'ist  'e  han';  'e  say: 

"'Wut  I  bin  tell-a  you,  B'er  Lion?  Wut  I  bin  tell 
you  'bout  da  Buckra  Man  ?  Da  Pa'tridge  no  hu't-a  you 
lak  dis.  'E  mek-a  da  big  fuss,  but  'e  no  hu't-a  you  lak 
dis.  Da  Buckra  Man,  'e  no  mek  no  fuss  'cep'  'e  p'int  'e 
gun  at  you  —  bang  ! ' ': 

"  And  what  then  ? "  the  little  boy  asked,  as  Daddy 
Jack  collapsed  in  his  seat,  seemingly  forgetful  of  all 
his  surroundings. 

"No'n  'tall,"  replied  the  old  African,  somewhat  curtly. 

"  De  p'ints  er  dat  tale,  honey,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  cov 
ering  the  brusqueness  of  Daddy  Jack  with  his  own  ami 
ability,  "  is  des  'bout  lak  dis,  dat  dey  aint  no  use  er  dodgin' 
w'iles  dey's  a  big  fuss  gwine  on,  but  you  better  take'n 
hide  out  w'en  dey  aint  no  racket ;  mo'  speshually  w'en 


334  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

you  see  Miss  Sally  lookin'  behine  de  lookin'-glass  fer  dat 
ar  peach-lim'  w'at  she  tuck'n  make  me  kyar  up  dar  day 
'fo'  yistiddy;  yit  w'en  she  fine  it  don't  you  git  too  skeer'd, 
'kaze  I  tuck'n  make  some  weak  places  in  dat  ar  switch, 
en  Miss  Sally  won't  mo'n  strak  you  wid  it  'fo'  hit  '11  all 
come  onjinted." 

Parts  of  this  moral  the  little  boy  understood  thor 
oughly,  for  he  laughed,  and  ran  to  the  big  house,  and 
not  long  afterwards  the  light  went  out  in  Uncle  Remus's 
cabin;  but  the  two  old  negroes  sat  and  nodded  by  the 
glowing  embers  for  hours  afterwards,  dreaming  dreams 
they  never  told  of. 

LVIII 
THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE  OCEAN 

"UNCLE  REMUS,"  said  the  little  boy,  one  night  shortly 
after  Daddy  Jack's  story  of  the  lion's  sad  predicament 
"mamma  says  there  are  no  lions  in  Georgia,  nor  any 
where  in  the  whole  country." 

"Tooby  sho'ly  not,  honey;  tooby  sho'ly  not!"  exclaimed 
Uncle  Remus.  "  I  dunner  who  de  name  er  goodness  bin 
a-puttin'  dat  kinder  idee  in  yo'  head,  en  dey  better  not 
lemme  fine  um  out,  needer,  'kaze  I  '11  take  en  put  Mars 
John  atter  um  right  raw  en  rank,  dat  I  will." 

"  Well,  you  know  Daddy  Jack  said  that  Brother  Rabbit 
met  the  Lion  coming  down  the  road." 

"Bless  yo'  soul,  honey!  dat's  'way  'cross  de  water  whar 
ole  man  Jack  tuck'n  come  fum,  en  a  mighty  long  time 


THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE  OCEAN  335 

ergo  at  dat.  Hit 's  away  off  yan,  lots  furder  dan  Ferginny 
yit.  We-all  er  on  one  side  de  water,  en  de  lions  en  mos' 
all  de  yuther  servigous  creeturs,  dey  er  on  t'er  side.  Aint 
I  never  tell  you  how  come  dat  ?  " 

The  little  boy  shook  his  head. 

"  Well,  sir  !  I  dunner  w'at  I  bin  doin'  all  dis  time  dat 
I  aint  tell  you  dat,  'kaze  dat 's  whar  de  wussest  kinder  do- 
in's  tuck'n  happen.  Yasser!  de  wussest  kinder  doin's; 
en  I  '11  des  whirl  in  en  gin  it  out  right  now  'fo'  ole  man 
Jack  come  wobblin'  in. 

"One  time  way  back  yander,  'fo'  dey  wuz  any  folks 
a-foolin'  'roun',Mr.  Lion,  he  tuck'n  tuck  a  notion  dat  he'd 
go  huntin',  en  nothin'  'ud  do  'im  but  Brer  Rabbit  must 
go  wid  'im.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low  dat  he  up  fer  any  kinder 
fun  on  top  side  er  de  groun'.  Wid  dat  dey  put  out,  dey 
did,  en  dey  hunt  en  hunt  clean  'cross  de  country. 

"  Mr.  Lion,  he  'd  lam  aloose  en  miss  de  game,  en  den 
Brer  Rabbit,  he'd  lam  aloose  en  fetch  it  down.  No  sooner 
is  he  do  dis  dan  Mr.  Lion,  he'd  squall  out: 

"'Hit's  mine!  hit's  mine!  I  kilt  it!' 

"  Mr.  Lion  sech  a  big  man  dat  Brer  Rabbit  skeer'd  ter 
'spute  'long  wid  'im,  but  he  lay  it  up  in  he  min'  fer  to  git 
even  wid  'im.  Dey  went  on  en  dey  went  on.  Mr.  Lion, 
he'd  lam  aloose  en  miss  de  game,  en  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'd 
lam  aloose  en  hit  it,  en  Mr.  Lion,  he  'd  take'n  whirl  in  en 
claim  it. 

"  Dey  hunt  all  day  long,  en  w'en  night  come,  dey  'uz 
sech  a  fur  ways  fum  home  dat  dey  hatter  camp  out.  Dey 
went  on,  dey  did,  twel  dey  come  ter  a  creek,  en  w'en  dey 


336  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

come  ter  dat,  dey  tuck'n  scrape  away  de  trash  en  built 
um  a  fire  on  de  bank,  en  cook  dey  supper. 

"Atter  supper  dey  sot  up  dar  en  tole  tales,  dey  did,  en 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  brag  'bout  w'at  a  good  hunter 
Mr.  Lion  is,  en  Mr.  Lion,  he  leant  back  on  he  yelbow,  en 
feel  mighty  biggity.  Bimeby,  w'en  dey  eyeleds  git  sorter 
heavy,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up'n  'low: 

" '  I  'm  a  monst'us  heavy  sleeper,  Mr.  Lion,  w'en  I  gits 
ter  nappin',  en  I  hope  en  trus'  I  aint  gwine  'sturb  you  dis 
night,  yit  I  got  my  doubts.' 

"Mr.  Lion,  he  roach  he  ha'r  back  outen  he  eyes,  en 
'low: 

"I'm  a  monst'us  heavy  sleeper  myse'f,  Brer  Rabbit, 
en  I  '11  feel  mighty  glad  ef  I  don't  roust  you  up  in  de  co'se 
er  de  night.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  change  his  terbacker  fum  one 
side  he  mouf  ter  de  yuther,  he  did,  en  he  up'n  'low : 

" '  Mr.  Lion,  I  wish  you  be  so  good  ez  ter  show  me  how 
you  sno'  des  'fo'  you  git  soun'  asleep.' 

"Mr.  Lion,  he  tuck'n  draw  in  he  breff  sorter  hard,  en 
show  Brer  Rabbit;  den  Brer  Rabbit  'low: 

"Mr.  Lion,  I  wish  you  be  so  good  ez  ter  show  me  how 
you  sno'  atter  you  done  git  soun'  asleep.' 

"Mr.  Lion,  he  tuck'n  suck  in  he  breff,  en  eve'y  time 
he  suck  in  he  breff  it  soun'  des  lak  a  whole  passel  er  mules 
w'en  dey  whinney  atter  fodder.  Brer  Rabbit  look  'stonish'. 
He  roll  he  eye  en  'low: 

" '  I  year  tell  youer  mighty  big  man,  Mr.  Lion,  en  you 
sho'ly  is.' 


THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE  OCEAN  337 

"Mr.  Lion,  he  hoi'  he  head  one  side  en  try  ter  look 
'shame',  but  all  de  same  he  aint  feel  'shame'.  Bimeby, 
he  shot  he  eye  en  'gun  ter  nod,  den  he  lay  down  en  stretch 
hisse'f  out,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  'gun  ter  sno'  lak  he 
sno'  w'en  he  aint  sleepin'  soun'. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  lay  dar.  He  aint  sayin'  nothin'.  He 
lay  dar  wid  one  year  h'ist  up  en  one  eye  open.  He  lay 
dar,  he  did,  en  bimeby  Mr.  Lion  'gun  ter  sno'  lak  he  sno' 
w'en  he  done  gone  fas'  ter  sleep. 

"  W'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  year  dis,  he  git  up  fum  dar,  en 
sprinkle  hisse'f  wid  de  cole  ashes  'roun'  de  fier,  en  den 
he  tuck'n  fling  er  whole  passel  der  hot  embers  on  Mr. 
Lion.  Mr.  Lion,  he  jump  up,  he  did,  en  ax  who  done 
dat,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  lay  dar  en  kick  at  he  year  wid  he 
behime  foot,  en  holler  '  Ow  ! ' 

"Mr.  Lion  see  de  ashes  on  Brer  Rabbit,  en  he  dunner 
w'at  ter  t'ink.  He  look  all  'roun',  but  he  aint  see  nothin'. 
He  drap  he  head  en  lissen,  but  he  aint  year  nothin'.  Den 
he  lay  down  'g'in  en  drap  off  ter  sleep.  Atter  w'ile,  w'en  he 
'gun  ter  sno'  lak  he  done  befo',  Brer  Rabbit,  he  jump  up 
en  sprinkle  some  mo'  cole  ashes  on  hisse'f,  en  fling  de  hot 
embers  on  Mr.  Lion.  Mr.  Lion  jump  up,  he  did,  en  holler: 

"'Dar  you  is  'g'in!' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  kick  en  squall,  en  'low : 

'  You  oughter  be  'shame'  yo'se'f ,  Mr.  Lion,  fer  ter  be 
tryin'  ter  bu'n  me  up.' 

"Mr.  Lion  hoi'  up  he  han's  en  des  vow  'taint  him. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  look  sorter  jubous,  but  he  aint  say 
nothin'.  Bimeby  he  holler  out : 


338  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

" '  Phewee !   I  smells  rags  a-bu'nin' ! ' 

"  Mr.  Lion,  he  sorter  flinch,  he  did,  en  'low : 
'  'T  aint  no  rags,  Brer  Rabbit;  hit's  my  ha'r  a-sinjinV 

"Dey  look  all  'roun',  dey  did,  but  dey  aint  see  nothin' 
ner  nobody.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  say  he  gwine  do  some  tall 
watchin'  nex'  time,  'kaze  he  boun'  ter  ketch  de  somebody 
w'at  bin  playin'  dem  kinder  pranks  on  urn.  Wid  dat, 
Mr.  Lion  lay  down  'g'in,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  drap  ter 
sleep. 

"Well,  den,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  taking  a  long 
breath,  "de  ve'y  same  kinder  doin's  tuck'n  happen.  De 
cole  ashes  fall  on  Brer  Rabbit,  en  de  hot  embers  fall  on 
Mr.  Lion.  But  by  de  time  Mr.  Lion  jump  up,  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  holler  out: 

" '  I  seed  um,  Mr.  Lion !  I  seed  um !  I  seed  de  way  dey 
come  fum  'cross  de  creek !  Dey  mos'  sho'ly  did ! ' 

"Wid  dat  Mr.  Lion,  he  fetch'd  a  beller  en  he  jumped 
'cross  de  creek.  No  sooner  is  he  do  dis,"  Uncle  Remus 
went  on  in  a  tone  at  once  impressive  and  confidential, 
"no  sooner  is  he  do  dis  dan  Brer  Rabbit  cut  de  string 
w'at  hoi'  de  banks  togedder,  en,  lo  en  beholes,  dar  dey 
wuz!" 

"  What  was,  Uncle  Remus  ?  "  the  little  boy  asked,  more 
amazed  than  he  had  been  in  many  a  day. 

"  Bless  yo'  soul,  honey,  de  banks !  Co'se  w'en  Brer  Rab 
bit  tuck'n  cut  de  string,  de  banks  er  de  creek,  de  banks, 
dey  fall  back,  dey  did,  en  Mr.  Lion  can't  jump  back.  De 
banks  dey  keep  on  fallin'  back,  en  de  creek  keep  on  gittin' 
wider  en  wider,  twel  bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  en  Mr.  Lion 


BRO.  RABBIT  GETS  BRO.  FOX'S  DINNER    339 

• 

aint  in  sight  er  one  er  n'er,  en  fum  dat  day  to  dis  de  big 
waters  bin  rollin'  'twix'  urn." 

"  But,  Uncle  Remus,  how  could  the  banks  of  a  creek 
be  tied  with  a  string  ? " 

"  I  aint  ax  um  dat,  honey,  en  darfo'  you  '11  hatter  take 
um  ez  you  git  um.  Nex'  time  de  tale-teller  come  'roun' 
I'll  up'n  ax  'im,  en  ef  you  aint  too  fur  off,  I'll  whirl  in  en 
sen'  you  wud,  en  den  you  kin  go  en  see  fer  yo'se'f.  But 
't  aint  skacely  wuth  yo'  w'ile  fer  ter  blame  me,  honey, 
'bout  de  creek  banks  bein'  tied  wid  a  string.  Who  put 
um  dar,  I  be  bless  ef  /  knows,  but  I  knows  who  onloose 
um,  dat  w'at  I  knows ! " 

It  is  very  doubtful  if  this  copious  explanation  was  satis 
factory  to  the  child,  but  just  as  Uncle  Remus  concluded, 
Daddy  Jack  came  shuffling  in,  and  shortly  afterwards 
both  Aunt  Tempy  and  'Tildy  put  in  an  appearance,  and 
the  mind  of  the  youngster  was  diverted  to  other  matters. 


LIX 


BROTHER  RABBIT  GETS  BROTHER  FOX'S 
DINNER 

AFTER  the  new-comers  had  settled  themselves  in  their 
accustomed  places,  and  'Tildy  had  cast  an  unusual  num 
ber  of  scornful  glances  at  Daddy  Jack,  who  made  quite  a 
pantomime  of  his  courtship,  Uncle  Remus  startled  them 
all  somewhat  by  breaking  into  a  loud  laugh. 

"I  boun'  you,"  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy,  grinning  with 


340  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

enthusiastic  sympathy,  "  I  boun'  you  Brer  Remus  done 
fine  out  some  mo'  er  Brer  Rabbit  funny  doin's  ;  now  I 
boun'  you  dat." 

"  You  hit  it  de  fus'  clip,  Sis  Tempy,  I  'clar'  ter  gracious 
ef  you  aint.  You  nailed  it!  You  nailed  it,"  Uncle  Remus 
went  on,  laughing  as  boisterously  as  before,  "des  lak  ole 
Brer  Rabbit  done." 

The  little  boy  was  very  prompt  with  what  Uncle  Remus 
called  his  "  inquirements,"  and  the  old  man,  after  the  usual 
"  hems  "  and  "  haws,"  began. 

"  Hit  run'd  'cross  my  min'  des  lak  a  rat  'long  a  rafter,  de 
way  ole  Brer  Rabbit  tuk'n  done  Brer  Fox.  'Periently,  atter 
Brer  Rabbit  done  went  en  put  a  steeple  on  top  er  he  house, 
all  de  yuther  creeturs  wanter  fix  up  dey  house.  Some  put 
new  cellars  und'  um,  some  slapped  on  new  winder-blines, 
some  one  thing  and  some  er  n'er,  but  ole  Brer  Fox,  he 
tuck  a  notion  dat  he  'd  put  some  new  shingles  on  de  roof. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  year  tell  er  dis,  en  nothin'd 
do  but  he  mus'  rack  'roun'  en  see  how  ole  Brer  Fox  gittin' 
on.  Wen  he  git  whar  Brer  Fox  house  is,  he  year  a  mighty 
lammin'  en  a  blammin',  en  lo  en  beholes,  dar  'uz  Brer 
Fox  settin'  straddle  er  de  comb  er  de  roof  nailin'  on  shin 
gles  des  hard  ez  he  kin. 

"Brer  Rabbit  cut  he  eye  'roun'  en  he  see  Brer  Fox 
dinner  settin'  in  de  fence-cornder.  Hit  'uz  kivered  up  in 
a  bran  new  tin  pail,  en  it  look  so  nice  dat  Brer  Rabbit 
mouf  'gun  ter  water  time  he  see  it,  en  he  'low  ter  hisse'f 
dat  he  bleedz  ter  eat  dat  dinner  'fo'  he  go  'way  fum  dar. 

"Den  Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  hail  Brer  Fox,  en  ax  'im 


BRO.  RABBIT  GETS  BRO.  FOX'S  DINNER    341 

how  he  come  on.  Brer  Fox  'low  he  too  busy  to  hoi'  any 
confab.  Brer  Rabbit  up  en  ax  'im  w'at  is  he  doin'  up  dar. 
Brer  Fox  'low  dat  he  puttin'  roof  on  he  house  'g'in  de  rainy 
season  sot  in.  Den  Brer  Rabbit  up  en  ax  Brer  Fox  w'at 
time  is  it,  en  Brer  Fox,  he  'low  dat  hit 's  wukkin  time  wid 
him.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  up  en  ax  Brer  Fox  ef  he  aint  stan' 
in  needs  er  some  he'p.  Brer  Fox,  he  'low  he  did,  dat  ef 
he  does  stan'  in  needs  er  any  he'p,  he  dunner  whar  in  de 
name  er  goodness  he  gwine  to  git  it  at. 

"  Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  sorter  pull  he  mustarsh,  en  'low 
dat  de  time  wuz  w'en  he  'uz  a  mighty  handy  man  wid  a 
hammer,  en  he  aint  too  proud  fer  to  whirl  in  en  he'p  Brer 
Fox  out'n  de  ruts. 

"  Brer  Fox  'low  he  be  mighty  much  erblige,  en  no  sooner 
is  he  say  dat  dan  Brer  Rabbit  snatched  off  he  coat  en  lipt 
up  de  ladder,  en  sot  in  dar  en  put  on  mo'  shingles  in  one 
hour  dan  Brer  Fox  kin  put  on  in  two. 

"  Oh,  he  'uz  a  rattler  —  ole  Brer  Rabbit  wuz,"  Uncle 
Remus  exclaimed,  noticing  a  questioning  look  in  the  child's 
face.  "  He  'uz  a  rattler,  mon,  des  ez  sho'  ez  youer  settin* 
dar.  Dey  wa'n't  no  kinder  wuk  dat  Brer  Rabbit  can't  put 
he  han'  at,  en  do  it  better  dan  de  nex'  man. 

"He  nailed  on  shingles  plum  twel  he  git  tired,  Brer 
Rabbit  did,  en  all  de  time  he  nailin',  he  study  how  he 
gwine  git  dat  dinner.  He  nailed  en  he  nailed.  He  'ud  nail 
one  row,  en  Brer  Fox  'ud  nail  'n'er  row.  He  nailed  en  he 
nailed.  He  kotch  Brer  Fox  en  pass  'im  —  kotch  'im  en 
pass  'im,  twel  bimeby  w'iles  he  nailin'  'long,  Brer  Fox  tail 
git  in  he  way. 


342  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Brer  Rabbit  'low  ter  hisse'f ,  he  did,  dat  he  dunner  w'at 
de  name  er  goodness  make  folks  have  such  long  tails  fer, 
en  he  push  it  out  de  way.  He  aint  no  mo'n  push  it  out'n 
de  way,  'fo'  yer  it  come  back  in  de  way.  Co'se,"  continued 
Uncle  Remus,  beginning  to  look  serious,  "  w'en  dat 's  de 
case  dat  a  soon  man  lak  Brer  Rabbit  git  pester'd  in  he 
min',  he  bleedz  ter  make  some  kinder  accidents  some'rs. 

"Dey  nailed  en  dey  nailed,  en,  bless  yo'  soul!  't  wa'n't 
long  'fo'  Brer  Fox  drap  eve'yt'ing  en  squall  out: 

"'Laws  'a'  massy,  Brer  Rabbit!  You  done  nail  my 
tail.  He'p  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  he'p  me!  You  done  nail 
my  tail!'" 

Uncle  Remus  waved  his  arms,  clasped  and  unclasped 
his  hands,  stamped  first  one  foot  and  then  the  other,  and 
made  various  other  demonstrations  of  grief  and  suffering. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  shot  fus'  one  eye  en  den  de  yuther 
en  rub  hisse'f  on  de  forrerd,  en  'low : 

" '  Sho'ly  I  aint  nail  yo'  tail,  Brer  Fox  ;  sho'ly  not. 
Look  right  close,  Brer  Fox,  be  keerful.  Fer  goodness  sake 
don'  fool  me,  Brer  Fox!' 

"  Brer  Fox,  he  holler,  he  squall,  he  kick,  he  squeal. 

" '  Laws  'a'  massy,  Brer  Rabbit !  You  done  nailed  my 
tail.  Onnail  me,  Brer  Rabbit,  onnail  me ! ' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  he  make  fer  de  ladder,  en  w'en  he  start 
down,  he  look  at  Brer  Fox  lak  he  right  down  sorry,  en 
he  up'n  'low,  he  did : 

" '  Well,  well,  well !  Des  ter  t'ink  dat  I  should  er  lamm'd 
aloose  en  nail  Brer  Fox  tail.  I  dunner  w'en  I  year  tell 
er  anyt'ing  dat  make  me  feel  so  mighty  bad  ;  en  ef  I 


I3RO.  RABBIT  GETS  BRO.  FOX'S  DINNER    343 

had  n't  er  seed  it  wid  my  own  eyes  I  would  n't  er  bleev'd 
it  skacely  —  dat  I  would  n't ! ' 

"  Brer  Fox  holler,  Brer  Fox  howl,  yit  't  aint  do  no  good. 
Dar  he  wuz  wid  he  tail  nail  hard  en  fas'.  Brer  Rabbit, 
he  keep  on  talkin'  w'iles  he  gwine  down  de  ladder. 

" "  Hit  make  me  feel  so  mighty  bad,'  sezee, '  dat  I  dunner 
w'at  ter  do.  Time  I  year  tell  un  it,  hit  make  a  empty  place 
come  in  my  stomach,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"  By  dis  time  Brer  Rabbit  done  git  down  on  de  groun', 
en  w'iles  Brer  Fox  holler'n,  he  des  keep  on  a-talkin'. 

" '  Dey  's  a  mighty  empty  place  in  my  stomach,'  sezee, 
'  en  ef  I  aint  run'd  inter  no  mistakes  dey  's  a  tin-pail  full 
er  vittles  in  dish  yer  fence-cornder  dat '11  des  'bout  fit  it,* 
sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"He  open  de  pail,  he  did,  en  he  eat  de  greens,  en  sop 
up  de  'lasses,  en  drink  de  pot-liquor,  en  w'en  he  wipe  he 
mouf  'pun  he  coat-tail,  he  up'n  'low: 

" '  I  dunner  w'en  I  bin  so  sorry  'bout  anything,  ez  I  is 
'bout  Brer  Fox  nice  long  tail.  Sho'ly,  sho'ly  my  head 
mus'  er  bin  wool-getherin'  w'en  I  tuck'n  nail  Brer  Fox 
fine  long  tail,'  sez  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee. 

"Wid  dat,  he  tuck'n  skip  out,  Brer  Rabbit  did,  en 
't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  'uz  playin'  he  pranks  in  some  yuther 
parts  er  de  settlement." 

"  How  did  Brother  Fox  get  loose  ?  "  the  little  boy  asked. 

"  Oh,  you  let  Brer  Fox  'lone  fer  dat,"  responded  Uncle 
Remus.  "  Nex'  ter  Brer  Rabbit,  ole  Brer  Fox  wuz  mos'  de 
shiftiest  creetur  gwine.  I  boun'  you  he  tuck'n  tuck  keer 
hisse'f  soon  ez  Brer  Rabbit  git  outer  sight  en  year'n." 


344  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

LX 

HOW  THE  BEAR  NURSED  THE  LITTLE 
ALLIGATOR 

WHILE  the  negroes  were  talking  of  matters  which  the 
little  boy  took  little  or  no  interest  in,  he  climbed  into 
Uncle  Remus's  lap,  as  he  had  done  a  thousand  times 
before.  Presently  the  old  man  groaned,  and  said: 

"I  be  bless  ef  I  know  w'at  de  marter,  honey.  I  dun- 
ner  whe'er  I  'm  a-gittin'  fibble  in  de  lim's,  er  whe'er  youer 
outgrowin'  me.  I  lay  I'll  hatter  sen'  out  en  git  you  a 
nuss  w'at  got  mo'  strenk  in  dey  lim's  dan  w'at  I  is." 

The  child  protested  that  he  was  n't  very  heavy,  and  that 
he  would  n't  have  any  nurse,  and  the  old  man  was  about  to 
forget  that  he  had  said  anything  about  nurses,  when  Daddy 
Jack,  who  seemed  to  be  desirous  of  appearing  good- 
humored  in  the  presence  of  'Tildy,  suddenly  exclaimed : 

"  Me  bin  yeddy  one  tale  'bout  da  tarn  w'en  da  lil  Bear  is 
bin  nuss  da  'Gator  chilluns.  'E  bin  mek  fine  nuss  fer  true. 
'E  stan'  by  dem  lilly  'Gator  tel  dey  no  mo'  fer  stan'  by." 

Seeing  that  Daddy  Jack  manifested  symptoms  of  going 
to  sleep,  the  little  boy  asked  if  he  would  n't  tell  the  story, 
and,  thus  appealed  to,  the  old  African  began : 

"  One  tarn  dey  is  bin  one  ole  Bear;  'e  big  un  'e  strong. 
'E  lif  way  in  da  swamp;  'e  hab  nes'  in  da  holler  tree. 
'E  hab  one,  two  lilly  Bear  in  da  nes';  'e  bin  lub  deni 
chillun  berry  ha'd.  One  day,  'e  git  honkry;  'e  tell  'e 
chillun  'e  gwan  'way  off  fer  git-a  some  bittle  fer  eat ;  'e 


HOW  THE  BEAR  NURSED  THE  ALLIGATOR  345 

tell  dem  dey  mus'  be  good  chillun  un  stay  wey  dey  lif. 
'E  say  'e  gwan  fer  fetch  dem  one  fish  fer  dey  brekwus. 
Dun  ?e  gone  off. 

"  Da  lil  Bear  chillun  hab  bin  'sleep  till  dey  kin  sleep  no 
rno'.  Da  sun,  'e  der  shine  worn,  'e  mekky  lilly  Bear  feel 
worn.  Da  lil  boy  Bear,  'e  rub  'e  y-eye,  'e  say  'e  gwan 
off  fer  hab  some  fun.  Da  lil  gal  Bear,  'e  say: 

Wut  will  we  mammy  say  ? ' 
"  Lil  boy  Bear,  'e  der  lahff.    'E  say: 
"Me  gwan  down  by  da  crik  side  fer  ketch  some  fish 
|me.' 

e  look  skeer;   'e  say: 

We  mammy  say  somet'ing  gwan  git-a  you.      Min' 
wut  'e  tell  you.' 

"  Lil  boy  Bear,  'e  keep  on  lahff.    'E  say : 
"Shuh-shuh!    'E  yent  nebber  know  less  you  tell  um. 
You  no  tell  um,  me  fetch-a  you  one  big  fish/ 

"  Lil  boy  Bear,  'e  gone !  'E  gone  by  da  crik  side,  'e  tek 
'e  hook,  'e  tek  'e  line,  'e  is  go  by  da  crik  side  fer  ketch  one 
fish.  Wun  'e  come  dey-dey,  'e  see  somet'ing  lay  dey  in  de 
rnud.  'E  t'ink  it  bin  one  big  log.  'E  lahff  by 'ese'f;  'esay: 
'  'E  one  fine  log  fer  true.  Me  'tan'  'pon  da  log  fer 
ketch-a  da  fish  fer  me  lil  titty.' l 

"Lil  boy  Bear,  'e  der  jump  down;    'e  git  'pon  da  log; 
'e  fix  fer  fish;   'e  fix  'e  hook,  'e  fix  'e    line.    Bumbye  da 
log  moof .    Da  lil  boy  Bear  holler : 
"'OwmaLordy!' 
"'E  look  down;    'e  skeer  mos'  dead.     Da  log  bin  one 

l  Sissy. 


346          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

big  'Gator.  Da  'Gator  'e  swim  'way  wit'  da  HI  boy  Bear 
'pon  'e  bahck.  'E  flut  'e  tail,  'e  knock  da  lil  boy  Bear 
spang  in  'e  two  han'.  'E  grin  wide,  'e  feel  da  lil  boy 
Bear  wit'  'e  nose;  'e  say: 

"'I  tekky  you  wey  me  lif;  me  chillun  is  hab  you  fer 
dey  brekwus.' 

"  Da  'Gator,  'e  bin  swim  toze  da  hole  in  da  bank  wey  'e 
lif.  'E  come  by  da  hole,  'e  ca'  da  lil  boy  Bear  in  dey. 
'E  is  call  up  'e  chillun;  'e  say: 

'"  Come  see  how  fine  brekwus  me  bin  brung  you.' 

"Da  ole  'Gator,  'e  hab  seben 
boy  Bear  git  skeer;  'e  holler,  'e  cry,  Y 

"'Please,  Missy  'Gator,  gib  me  chance  fer 
how  fine  nuss  me  is  —  please,  Missy  'Gator.     Wun  you 
gone  'way,  me  min'  dem  chillun,  me  min'  um  well.' 

"  Da  'Gator  flut  'e  tail;  'e  say: 

'* '  I  try  you  dis  one  day ;  you  min'  dem  lil  one  well, 
me  luf  you  be.' 

"Da  ole  'Gator  gone  'way;  'e  luf  da  lil  boy  Bear  fer 
min'  'e  chillun.  'E  gone  git  somet'ing  fer  dey  brekwus. 
Da  lil  boy  Bear,  'e  set  down  dey-dey;  'e  min'  dem  chillun; 
'e  wait  un  'e  wait.  Bumbye,  'e  is  git  honkry.  'E  wait  un 
'e  wait.  'E  min'  dem  chillun.  'E  wait  un  'e  wait.  'E  'come 
so  honkry  'e  yent  mos'  kin  hoi'  up  'e  head.  'E  suck  'e  paw. 
'E  wait  un  'e  wait.  Da  'Gator  no  come.  'E  wait  un  'e  wait. 
Da  'Gator  no  come  some  mo'.  'E  say: 

"*Ow!  me  no  gwan  starf  mese'f  wun  da  planty  bittle 
by  side  er  me ! ' 

"Da  lil  boy  Bear  grab  one  da  lil  'Gator  by  'e  neck;   'e 


HOW  THE  BEAR  NURSED  THE  ALLIGATOR   347 

tek  um  off  in  da  bush  side;  'e  der  eat  um  up.  'E  no  leaf 
'e  head,  'e  no  leaf  'e  tail;  'e  yent  leaf  nuttin'  't  all.  'E  go 
bahck  wey  da  turrer  lil  'Gator  bin  huddle  up  in  da  bed. 
'E  rub  'ese'f  'pon  da  'tomach;  'e  say: 

"'Hoo!  me  feel-a  too  good  fer  tahlk  'bout.  I  no  know 
wut  me  gwan  fer  tell  da  ole  'Gator  wun  'e  is  come  bahck. 
Ki!  me  no  keer.  Me  feel  too  good  fer  t'ink  'bout  dem 
t'ing.  Me  t'ink  'bout  dem  wun  da  'Gator  is  bin  come;  me 
t'ink  'bout  dem  bumbye  wun  da  time  come  fer  t'ink/ 

"Da  lil  boy  Bear  lay  down ;  'e  quile  up  in  da  'Gator  bed; 
'e  shed  'e  y-eye;  'e  sleep  ha'd  lak  bear  do  wun  ef  full  up. 
Bumbye,  mos'  toze  night,  da  'Gator  come;  'e  holler: 

"Hey!   lil  boy  Bear!    How  you  is  kin  min'  me  chillun 
wun  you  is  gone  fer  sleep  by  um  ? ' 

"Da  lil  boy  Bear,  'e  set  up  'pon  'e  ha'nch;   'e  say: 
"Me  y-eye  gone  fer  sleep,  but  me  year  wide  'wake.' 

"Da  'Gator  flut  'e  tail;   'e  say: 

Wey  me  chillun  wut  me  leaf  you  wit'  ? ' 

"Da  lil  boy  Bear  'come  skeer;   'e  say: 
"Dey  all  dey-dey,  Missy  'Gator.    Wait!   lemme  count 
dem,  Missy  'Gator. 

"  *  Yarrah  one,  yarrah  narrah, 
Yarrah  two  'pon  top  er  tarrah, 
Yarrah  free  pile  up  tergarrah  !  *  * 

"Da  'Gator  y-open  'e  mout',  'e  grin  wide;   'e  say: 
:"Oona  nuss  dem  well,  lil  boy  Bear;  come,  fetch-a  me 
one  fer  wash  un  git  'e  supper.' 

1  Here  is  one,  here's  another  ;  here  are  two  on  top  of  t'other  ;  here  are 
three  piled  up  together. 


348          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Da  lil  boy  Bear,  'e  ca'  one,  'e  ca*  nurrer,  'e  ca'  turrer, 
'e  ca'  um  all  tel  'e  ca'  six,  den  'e  come  skeer.  'E  t'ink  da 
'Gator  gwan  fine  um  out  fer  true.  'E  stop,  'e  yent  know 
wut  fer  do.  Da  'Gator  holler: 

"'Fetch-a  me  turrer!' 

"  Da  lil  boy  Bear,  'e  grab  da  fus'  one,  'e  wullup  um  in 
da  mud,  'e  ca'  um  bahck.  Da  'Gator  bin  wash  un  feed 
um  fresh;  'e  yent  know  da  diffran. 

"Bumbye,  nex'  day  mornin',  da  'Gator  gone  'way. 
Da  lil  boy  Bear  stay  fer  nuss  dem  lil  'Gator.  'E  come 
honkry;  'e  wait,  but  'e  come  mo'  honkry.  'E  grab  nurrer 
lil  'Gator,  'e  eat  um  fer  'e  dinner.  Mos'  toze  night,  da 
'Gator  come.  It  sem  t'ing : 

1  *  Wey  me  chillun  wut  me  leaf  you  fer  nuss  ? ' 

"'Dey  all  dey-dey,  Missy  'Gator.   Me  count  um  out: 

"'Yarrah  one,  yarrah  narrah, 
Yarrah  two  'pon  top  er  tarrah, 
Yarrah  t'ree  pile  up  tergarrah !  * 

"  'E  ca'  um  one  by  one  fer  wash  un  git  dey  supper.  'E 
ca'  two  bahck  two  tarn.  Ebry  day  'e  do  dis  way  tel  'e 
come  at  de  las'.  'E  eat  dis  one,  un  'e  gone  luf  da  place 
wey  da  'Gator  lif.  'E  gone  down  da  crik  side  tel  'e 
is  come  by  da  foot-log,  un  'e  is  run  'cross  queek.  'E 
git  in  da  bush,  'e  fair  fly  tel  'e  is  come  by  da  place  wey 
'e  lil  titty  bin  lif.  'E  come  dey-dey,  un  'e  yent  go  'way 


WHY  MR.  DOG  RUNS  BROTHER  RABBIT    349 

LXI 
WHY  MR.  DOG  RUNS  BROTHFR  RABBIT 

THE  little  boy  was  not  particularly  pleased  at  the  sum 
mary  manner  in  which  the  young  Alligators  were  disposed 
of;  but  he  was  very  much  amused  at  the  somewhat  novel 
method  employed  by  the  Bear  to  deceive  the  old  Alligator. 
The  negroes,  however,  enjoyed  Daddy  Jack's  story  im 
mensely,  and  even  'Tildy  condescended  to  give  it  her  ap 
proval;  but  she  qualified  this  by  saying,  as  soon  as  she 
had  ceased  laughing: 

"I  'clar'  ter  goodness  you  all  got  mighty  little  ter  do 
fer  ter  be  settin'  down  yer  night  atter  night  lis'nin'  at  dat 
nigger  man." 

Daddy  Jack  nodded,  smiled,  and  rubbed  his  withered 
hands  together  apparently  in  a  perfect  ecstacy  of  good- 
humor,  and  finally  said : 

"  Oona  come  set-a  by  me,  HI  gal.  'E  berry  nice  tale 
wut  me  tell-a  you.  Come  sit-a  by  me,  lil  gal  ;  'e  berry 
nice  tale.  Ef  you  no  want  me  fer  tell-a  you  one  tale,  dun 
you  is  kin  tell-a  me  one  tale." 

"Humph!"  exclaimed  'Tildy,  contemptuously,  "you'll 
set  over  dar  in  dat  cornder  an  dribble  many's  de  long  day 
'fo'  I  tell  you  any  tale." 

"  Look  yer,  gal ! "  said  Uncle  Remus,  pretending  to  ig 
nore  the  queer  courtship  that  seemed  to  be  progressing 
between  Daddy  Jack  and  'Tildy,  "you  gittin'  too  ole  fer 
ter  be  sawin'  de  a'r  wid  yo'  head  en  squealin'  lak  a  filly. 


350  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Ef  you  gwine  ter  set  wid  folks,  you  better  do  lak  folks 
does.  Sis  Tempy  dar  aint  gwine  on  dat  a-way,  en  she  aint 
think  'erse'f  too  big  fer  ter  set  up  dar  en  jine  in  wid  us  en 
tell  a  tale,  needer." 

This  was  the  first  time  that  Uncle  Remus  had  ever  con 
descended  to  accord  'Tildy  a  place  at  his  hearth  on  an 
equality  with  the  rest  of  his  company,  and  she  seemed  to 
be  immensely  tickled.  A  broad  grin  spread  over  her 
comely  face  as  she  exclaimed : 

"  Oh  I  I  'clar'  ter  goodness,  Unk  Remus,  I  thought  dat 
ole  nigger  man  wuz  des  a-projickin'  'long  wid  me.  Ef  it 
come  down  ter  settin'  up  yer  'long  wid  you  all  an'  tellin' 
a  tale,  I  aint  'nyin'  but  w'at  I  got  one  dat  you  all  aint 
never  year  tell  un,  'kaze  dat  ar  Slim  Jim  w'at  Mars  Ellick 
Akin  got  out'n  de  speckerlater1  waggin,  he  up'n  tell  it  dar 
at  Riah's  des  'fo'  de  patter-rollers  tuck'n  slipt  up  on  um." 

"  Dar  now ! "  remarked  Aunt  Tempy.  'Tildy  laughed 
boisterously. 

"  W'at  de  patter-rollers  do  wid  dat  ar  Slim  Jim  ? " 
Uncle  Remus  inquired. 

"Done  nothin'!"  exclaimed  'Tildy,  with  an  air  of  hu 
morous  scorn.  "  Time  dey  got  in  dar  Slim  Jim  'uz  up  de 
chimbly,  an'  Riah  'uz  noddin'  in  one  cornder  an'  me  in  de 
udder.  Nobody  never  is  ter  know  how  dat  ar  long-leg  nig 
ger  slick'd  up  dat  chimbly  —  dat  dey  aint.  He  put  one  foot 
on  de  pot-rack,2  an'  whar  he  put  de  t'er  foot  I  can't  tell  you.'5 

1  Speculator's  wagon. 

2  A  bar  of  iron  across  the  fireplace,  with  hooks  to  hold  the  pots  and 
kettles.    The  original  form  of  the  crane. 


WHY  MR.  DOG  RUNS  BROTHER  RABBIT  351 

"  What  was  the  story  ? "   asked  the  little  boy. 

"  I  boim'  fer  you,  honey!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus. 

"Well,  den,"  said  'Tildy,  setting  herself  comfortably, 
and  bridling  a  little  as  Daddy  Jack  manifested  a  desire  to 
give  her  his  undivided  attention,  —  "  well,  den,  dey  wuz 
one  time  w'en  ole  Brer  Rabbit  'uz  bleedz  ter  go  ter  town 
atter  sump'n'  'n'er  fer  his  famerly,  an'  he  mos'  'shame'  ter 
go  'kaze  his  shoes  done  wo'  tetotally  out.  Yit  he  bleedz 
ter  go,  an'  he  put  des  ez  good  face  on  it  ez  he  kin,  an'  he 
take  down  he  walkin'-cane  an'  sot  out  des  ez  big  ez  de 
next  un. 

"Well,  den,  ole  Brer  Rabbit  go  on  down  de  big  road 
twel  he  come  ter  de  place  whar  some  folks  bin  camp  out 
de  night  befo',  an'  he  sot  down  by  de  fier,  he  did,  fer  ter 
worn  his  foots,  'kaze  dem  mawnin's  'uz  sorter  cole,  like 
deze  yer  mawnin's.  He  sot  dar  an'  look  at  his  toes,  an'  he 
feel  mighty  sorry  fer  hisse'f. 

"  Well,  den,  he  sot  dar,  he  did,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he 
year  sump'n'  'n'er  trottin'  down  de  road,  an'  he  tuck'n 
look  up  an'  yer  come  Mr.  Dog  a-smellin'  an'  a-snuffin'  'roun' 
fer  ter  see  ef  de  folks  lef  any  scraps  by  der  camp-fier. 
Mr.  Dog  'uz  all  dress  up  in  his  Sunday-go-ter-meetin' 
cloze,  an'  mo'n  dat,  he  had  on  a  pa'r  er  bran  new  shoes. 

"  Well,  den,  w'en  Brer  Rabbit  see  dem  ar  shoes  he  feel 
mighty  bad,  but  he  aint  let  on.  He  bow  ter  Mr.  Dog 
mighty  perlite,  an'  Mr.  Dog  he  bow  back,  he  did,  an'  dey 
pass  de  time  er  day,  'kaze  dey  'uz  ole  'quaintance.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  say: 

"  '  Mr.  Dog,  whar  you  gwine  all  fix  up  like  dis  ? ' 


352  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

" '  I  gwine  ter  town,  Brer  Rabbit ;  whar  you  gwine  ? ' 

"CI  thought  I  go  ter  town  myse'f  fer  ter  git  me  new 
pa'r  shoes,  'kaze  my  ole  uns  done  wo'  out  en  dey  hu'ts 
my  foots  so  bad  I  can't  w'ar  um.  Dem  mighty  nice  shoes 
w'at  you  got  on,  Mr.  Dog;  whar  you  git  um  ?' 

"Down  in  town,  Brer  Rabbit,  down  in  town.' 

"'Dey  fits  you  mighty  slick,  Mr.  Dog,  an'  I  wish  you 
be  so  good  ez  ter  lemme  try  one  un  um  on.' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  talk  so  mighty  sweet  dat  Mr.  Dog  sot  right 
flat  on  de  groun'  an'  tuck  off  one  er  de  behime  shoes,  an' 
loant  it  ter  Brer  Rabbit.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  lope  off  down 
de  road  en  den  he  come  back.  He  tell  Mr.  Dog  dat  de 
shoe  fit  mighty  nice,  but  wid  des  one  un  um  on,  hit  make 
'im  trot  crank-sided. 

"Well,  den,  Mr.  Dog,  he  pull  off  de  yuther  behime 
shoe,  an'  Brer  Rabbit  trot  off  an'  try  it.  He  come  back, 
he  did,  an'  he  say: 

"'Dey  mighty  nice,  Mr.  Dog,  but  dey  sorter  r'ars  me 
up  behime,  an'  I  dunner  'zackly  how  dey  feels.' 

"  Dis  make  Mr.  Dog  feel  like  he  wanter  be  perlite,  an' 
he  take  off  de  befo'  shoes,  an'  Brer  Rabbit  put  um  on 
an'  stomp  his  foots,  an  'low: 

"'Now  dat  sorter  feel  like  shoes;'  an'  he  rack  off  down 
de  road,  an'  w'en  he  git  whar  he  oughter  tu'n  'roun',  he 
des  lay  back  he  years  an'  keep  on  gwine;  an'  'twa'n't 
long  'fo'  he  git  outer  sight. 

"Mr.  Dog,  he  holler,  an'  tell  'im  fer  ter  come  back, 
but  Brer  Rabbit  keep  on  gwine;  Mr.  Dog,  he  holler, 
Mr.  Rabbit,  he  keep  on  gwine.  An'  down  ter  dis  day," 


BRO.  WOLF  AND  THE  HORNED  CATTLE    353 

continued  'Tildy,  smacking  her  lips,  and  showing  her  white 
teeth,  "  Mr.  Dog  bin  a-runnin'  Brer  Rabbit,  an'  ef  you  '11 
des  go  out  in  de  woods  wid  any  Dog  on  dis  place,  des  time 
he  smell  de  Rabbit  track  he  '11  holler  an'  tell  'im  fer  ter 
come  back." 

"Dat's  de  Lord's  trufe!"   said  Aunt  Tempy. 


LXII 

BROTHER  WOLF  AND  THE  HORNED 
CATTLE 

DADDY  JACK  appeared  to  enjoy  'Tildy's  story  as  thor 
oughly  as  the  little  boy. 

"  'E  one  fine  tale.  'E  mekky  me  lahff  tell  tear  is  come 
in  me  y-eye,"  the  old  African  said.  And  somehow  or 
other  'Tildy  seemed  to  forget  her  pretended  animosity  to 
Daddy  Jack,  and  smiled  on  him  as  pleasantly  as  she  did 
on  the  others.  Uncle  Remus  himself  beamed  upon  each 
and  every  one,  especially  upon  Aunt  Tempy;  and  the 
little  boy  thought  he  had  never  seen  everybody  in  such 
good-humor. 

"Sis  Tempy,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "I  'speck  it's  yo' 
time  fer  ter  put  in." 

"  I  des  bin  rackin'  my  min',"  said  Aunt  Tempy,  thought 
fully.  "  I  see  you  fixin'  dat  ar  hawn,  un  terreckerly  hit  make 
me  think  'bout  a  tale  w'at  I  aint  year  none  un  you  tell  yit." 

Uncle  Remus  was  polishing  a  long  cow's-horn,  for  the 
purpose  of  making  a  hunting-horn  for  his  master. 


354  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Hit  come  'bout  one  time  dat  all  de  creeturs  w'at  got 
hawns  tuck  a  notion  dat  dey  got  ter  meet  terge'er  un  have 
a  confab  fer  ter  see  how  dey  gwine  take  ker  deyse'f,  'kaze 
dem  t'er  creeturs  w'at  got  tush  un  claw,  dey  uz  des  a- 
snatchin'  um  fum  'roun'  eve'y  cornder." 

"  Tooby  sho' ! "    said  Uncle  Remus,  approvingly. 

"  Dey  sont  out  wud,  de  hawn  creeturs  did,  un  dey  tuck'n 
meet  terge'er  'way  off  in  de  woods.  Man  —  Sir !  —  dey 
wuz  a  big  gang  un  um,  un  de  muster  dey  had  out  dar 
't  wa'n't  b'ar  tellin'  skacely.  Mr.  Bull,  he  'uz  dar,  un 
Mr.  Steer,  un  Miss  Cow  " 

"And  Mr.  Benjamin  Ram,  with  his  fiddle,"  suggested 
the  little  boy. 

-  "Yes,  'n  Mr.  Billy  Goat,  un  Mr.  Unicorn  "  - 
"En  ole  man  Rinossyhoss,"  said  Uncle  Remus. 

-  "  Yes,  'n  lots  mo'  w'at  I  aint  know  de  names  un. 
Man  —  Sir !  —  dey  had  a  mighty  muster  out  dar.  Ole  Brer 
Wolf,  he  tuck'n  year  'bout  de  muster,  un  he  sech  a  smarty 
dat  nothin'  aint  gwine  do  but  he  mus'  go  un  see  w'at  dey 
doin'. 

"He  study  'bout  it  long  time,  un  den  he  went  out  in 
de  timber  un  cut  'im  two  crooked  sticks,  un  tie  um  on 
his  head,  un  start  off  ter  whar  de  hawn  creeturs  meet  at. 
Wen  he  git  dar  Mr.  Bull  ax  'im  who  is  he,  w'at  he  want, 
whar  he  come  frum,  un  whar  he  gwine.  Brer  Wolf,  he 
'low: 

" '  Ba-a-a !    I  'm  name  little  Sook  Calf ! ' " 

"Eh-eh!  Look  out,  now!"  exclaimed  'Tildy,  enthu 
siastically. 


BRO.  WOLF  AND  THE  HORNED  CATTLE     355 

"Mr.  Bull  look  at  Brer  Wolf  mighty  hard  over  his 
specks,  but  atter  a  w'ile  he  go  off  some'rs  else,  un  Brer 
Wolf  take  his  place  in  de  muster. 

"  Well,  den,  bimeby,  terreckerly,  dey  got  ter  talkin'  un 
tellin'  der  'sperence  des  like  de  w'ite  folks  does  at  class- 
ineetin.'  Wiles  dey  'uz  gwine  on  dis  a-way,  a  great  big 
hoss-fly  come  sailin'  'roun',  un  Brer  Wolf  tuck'n  fergit 
hisse'f,  un  snap  at  'im. 

"All  dis  time  Brer  Rabbit  bin  hidin'  out  in  de  bushes 
watchin'  Brer  WTolf,  un  w'en  he  see  dis  he  tuck'n  break 
out  in  a  laugh.  Brer  Bull,  he  tuck'n  holler  out,  he  did: 

" '  Who  dat  laughin'  un  showin'  der  manners  ? ' 

"Nobody  aint  make  no  answer,  un  terreckerly  Brer 
Rabbit  holler  out: 

'  '  O  kittle-cattle,  kittle-cattle,  whar  yo'  eyes  ? 
Who  ever  see  a  Sook  Calf  snappin  at  flies  ?' 

"  De  hawn  creeturs  dey  all  look  'roun'  un  wonder  w'at 
dat  mean,  but  bimeby  dey  go  on  wid  dey  confab.  'T  wa'n't 
long  'fo'  a  flea  tuck'n  bite  Brer  Wolf  'way  up  on  de  back 
er  de  neck,  un  'fo'  he  know  what  he  doin',  he  tuck'n  squat 
right  down  un  scratch  hisse'f  wid  his  behime  foot." 

"  Enty ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack.  "  Dar  you  is ! "  said 
Tildy. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  tuck'n  broke  out  in  'n'er  big  laugh  un 
'sturb  um  all,  un  den  he  holler  out: 

'  *  Scritchum-scratchum,  lawsy,  my  laws  ! 
Look  at  dat  Sook  Calf  scratchin  wid  daws  I ' 

"Brer  Wolf  git  mighty  skeer'd,  but  none  er  de  hawiv 


356  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

creeturs  aint  take  no  notice  un  'im,  un  't  wa'n't  long  'fo' 
Brer  Rabbit  holler  out  ag'in : 

" '  Rinktum-tinktum,  ride  'im  on  a  rail ! 
Dot  Sook  Calf  got  a  long  bushy  tail ! ' 

"  De  hawn  creeturs,  dey  go  on  wid  der  confab,  but  Brer 
Wolf  git  skeerder  un  skeerder,  'kaze  he  notice  dat  Mr. 
Bull  got  his  eye  on  'im.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  aint  gin  'im  no 
rest.  He  holler  out : 

" '  One  un  one  never  kin  make  six, 

Sticks  aint  hawns,  un  hawns  aint  sticks  I ' 

"Wid  dat  Brer  Wolf  make  ez  ef  he  gwine  'way  fum 
dar,  un  he  wa'n't  none  too  soon,  needer,  'kaze  ole  Mr. 
Bull  splunge  at  'im,  en  little  mo'  un  he'd  er  nat'ally  to* 
'im  in  two." 

"  Did  Brother  Wolf  get  away  ? "  the  little  boy  asked. 

"Yas,  Lord!"  said  Aunt  Tempy,  with  unction;  "he 
des  scooted  'way  fum  dar,  un  he  got  so  mad  wid  Brer 
Rabbit,  dat  he  tuck'n  play  dead,  un  wud  went  'roun'  dat 
dey  want  all  de  creeturs  fer  ter  go  set  up  wid  'im.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  went  down  dar  fer  ter  look  at  'im,  un  time  he 
see  'im,  he  ax: 

"'Ishegrinyit?' 

"All  de  creeturs  dey  up'n  say  he  aint  grin,  not  ez  dey 
knows  un.  Den  Brer  Rabbit,  he  'low,  he  did: 

"'Well,  den,  gentermuns  all,  ef  he  aint  grin,  den  he 
aint  dead  good.  In  all  my  'speunce  folks  aint  git  dead 
good  tel  dey  grins.' l 

1  See  Uncle  Remus :  His  Songs  and  his  Sayings,  p.  60. 


BRO.  FOX  AND  THE  WHITE  MUSCADINES    357 

"  Wen  Brer  Wolf  year  Brer  Rabbit  talk  dat  a-way,  he 
tuck'n  grin  fum  year  ter  year,  un  Brer  Rabbit,  he  picked 
up  his  hat  un  walkin'-cane  un  put  out  f?r  home,  un  w'en 
he  got  'way  off  in  de  woods  he  sot  down  un  laugh  fit  ter 
kill  hisse'f." 

Uncle  Remus  had  paid  Aunt  Tempy  the  extraordinary 
tribute  of  pausing  in  his  work  to  listen  to  her  story,  and 
when  she  had  concluded  it,  he  looked  at  her  in  undis 
guised  admiration,  and  exclaimed: 

"  I  be  bless,  Sis  Tempy,  ef  you  aint  wuss'n  w'at  I  is, 
en  I'm  bad  'nuff,  de  Lord  knows  I  is!" 


LXIII 

BROTHER  FOX  AND  THE  WHITE 
MUSCADINES 

AUNTY  TEMPY  did  not  attempt  to  conceal  the  pleasure 
which  Uncle  Remus' s  praise  gave  her.  She  laughed  some 
what  shyly,  and  said: 

" Bless  you,  Brer  Remus!  I  des  bin  a-settin'  yer  1'arnin. 
'Sides  dat,  Chris'mus  aint  fur  off  un  I  'speck  we  er  all  a- 
feeliii'  a  sight  mo'  humorsome  dan  common." 

"Dat's  so,  Sis  Tempy.  I'uz  comin'  thoo  de  lot  des  'fo' 
supper,  en  I  seed  de  pigs  runnin'  en  playin'  in  de  win', 
en  I  'low  ter  myse'f ,  sez  I,  *  Sholy  dey  's  a-gwine  ter  be  a 
harrycane,'  en  den  all  at  once  hit  come  in  my  min'  dat 
Chris'mus  mighty  close  at  han',  en  den  on  ter  dat  yer 
come  de  chickens  a-crowin'  des  now  en  't  aint  nine  er'clock. 


358  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

I  dunner  how  de  creeturs  know  Chris'mus  comin',  but  dat 
des  de  way  it  stan's." 

The  little  boy  thought  it  was  time  enough  to  think  about 
Christmas  when  the  night  came  for  hanging  up  his  stock 
ings,  and  he  asked  Uncle  Remus  if  it  was  n't  his  turn  to 
tell  a  story.  The  old  man  laid  down  the  piece  of  glass  with 
which  he  had  been  scraping  the  cow's  horn,  and  hunted 
around  among  his  tools  for  a  piece  of  sandpaper  before 
he  replied.  But  his  reply  was  sufficient.  He  said : 

"  One  time  w'iles  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  gwine  thoo  de  woods 
he  tuck'n  strak  up  wid  ole  Brer  Fox,  en  Brer  Fox  'low,  he 
did,  dat  he  mighty  hongry.  Brer  Rabbit  'low  dat  he  aint 
feelin'  dat  a-way  hisse'f,  'kaze  he  des  bin  en  had  er  bait  er 
w'ite  muscadimes,  en  den  he  tuck'n  smack  he  mouf  en  lick 
he  chops  right  front  er  Brer  Fox.  Brer  Fox,  he  ax,  sezee : 

" '  Brer  Rabbit,  whar  de  name  er  goodness  is  deze  yer 
w'ite  muscadimes,  en  how  come  I  'm  aint  never  run  'crosst 
um?'  sezee. 

"I  dunner  w' at  de  reason  you  aint  never  come  up  wid 
um,'  sez  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee;  'some  folks  sees  straight, 
some  sees  crooked,  some  sees  one  thing,  some  sees  'n'er.  I 
done  seed  dem  ar  w'ite  muscadimes,  en  let  'lone  dat,  I  done 
wipe  um  up.  I  done  e't  all  dey  wuz  on  one  tree,  but  I  lay 
dey  's  lots  mo'  un  um  'roun'  in  dem  neighborhoods,'  sezee. 

"  Ole  Brer  Fox  mouf  'gun  to  water,  en  he  git  mighty 
restless. 

' '  Come  on,  Brer  Rabbit ;  come  on !  Come  show  me 
whar  dem  ar  w'ite  muscadimes  grows  at,'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  hang  back.    Brer  Fox,  he  'low : 


BRO.  FOX  AND  THE  WHITE  MUSCADINES   359 

" '  Come  on,  Brer  Rabbit,  come  on ! ' 
"Brer  Rabbit,  he  hang  back,  en  bimeby  he  'low: 
" '  Uh-uh,  Brer  Fox !    You  wanter  git  me  out  dar  in  de 
timber  by  myse'f  en  do  sump'n'  ter  me.  You  wanter  git 
me  our  dar  en  skeer  me.' 

"  Ole  Brer  Fox,  he  hoP  up  he  han's,  he  do,  en  he  'low : 
"'I  des  'clar'  'fo'  gracious,  Brer  Rabbit,  I  aint  gwine 
do  no  sech  uv  a  thing.  I  dunner  w'at  kinder  'pinion  you 
got  'bout  me  fer  ter  have  sech  idee  in  yo'  head.  Come  on, 
Brer  Rabbit,  en  less  we  go  git  dem  ar  w'ite  muscadimes. 
Come  on,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

"' Uh-uh,  Brer  Fox!  I  done  year  talk  er  you  playin* 
so  many  prank  wid  folks  dat  I  fear'd  fer  ter  go  'way  off 
dar  wid  you.' 

"Dey  went  on  dat  a-way,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
endeavoring  to  look  at  the  little  boy  through  the  crooked 
cow's  horn,  "twel  bimeby  Brer  Fox  promise  he  aint 
gwine  ter  bodder  'long  er  Brer  Rabbit,  en  den  dey  tuck'n 
put  out.  En  whar  you  'speck  dat  ar  muscheevous  Brer 
Rabbit  tuck'n  kyar'  Brer  Fox  ? " 

Uncle  Remus  paused  and  gazed  around  upon  his  audi 
ence  with  uplifted  eyebrows,  as  if  to  warn  them  to  be  pro 
perly  astonished.  Nobody  made  any  reply,  but  all  looked 
expectant,  and  Uncle  Remus  went  on: 

"He  aint  kyar  'im  nowhars  in  de  roun'  worl'  but  ter 
one  er  deze  yer  great  big  scaly-bark  trees.  De  tree  wuz 
des  loaded  down  wid  scaly-barks,  but  dey  wa'n't  ripe,  en 
de  green  hulls  shined  in  de  sun  des  lak  dey  ben  whitewash'. 
Brer  Fox  look  'stonish'.  Atter  w'ile  he  up'n  'low: 


360  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'Is  dem  ar  de  w'ite  muscadimes ?  Mighty  funny  I 
aint  fine  it  out  'fo'  dis.' 

"  Ole  Brer  Rabbit,  he  scratch  hisse'f  en  'low : 

"'Dems  um.  Dey  may  n't  be  ripe  ez  dem  w'at  I 
had  fer  my  brekkus,  but  dems  de  w'ite  muscadimes  sho' 
ez  youer  bawn.  Dey  er  red  bullaces  :  en  dey  er  black 
bullaces,  but  deze  yer,  dey  er  de  w'ite  bullaces.' 

"  Brer  Fox,  sezee,  '  How  I  gwine  git  um  ? ' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  sezee, '  You '11  des  hatter  do  lak  I  done.' 

"  Brer  Fox,  sezee,  '  How  wuz  dat  ? ' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  '  You  '11  hatter  clam  fer  'm.' 

"  Brer  Fox,  sezee,  '  How  I  gwine  clam  ? ' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'Grab  wid  yo'  han's,  clam  wid 
yo'  legs,  en  I  '11  push  behime ! ' " 

"  Man  —  Sir !  —  he 's  a-talkin'  now ! "  exclaimed  Aunt 
Tempy,  enthusiastically. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  clum,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  push,  twel, 
sho'  'nuff,  Brer  Fox  got  whar  he  kin  grab  de  lowmos' 
lim's,  en  dar  he  wuz!  He  crope  on  up,  he  did,  twel  he 
come  ter  whar  he  kin  retch  de  green  scaly-bark,  en  den  he 
tuck'n  pull  one  en  bite  it,  en,  gentermens!  hit  uz  dat 
rough  en  dat  bitter  twel  little  mo'  en  he  'd  'a'  drapt  spang 
out'n  de  tree. 

"  He  holler  '  Ow  ! '  en  spit  it  out'n  he  mouf  des  same 
ez  ef  't  wuz  rank  pizen,  en  he  make  sech  a  face  dat  you 
would  n't  b'leeve  it  skacely  less'n  you  seed  it.  Brer  Rab 
bit,  he  hatter  cough  fer  ter  keep  fum  laughin',  but  he  make 
out  ter  holler,  sezee : 

1  Another  name  for  muscadines. 


BRO.  FOX  AND  THE  WHITE  MUSCADINES   361 

"'Come  down,  Brer  Fox!  Dey  aint  ripe.  Comedown 
en  less  go  some'rs  else.' 

"  Brer  Fox  start  down,  en  he  git  'long  mighty  well  twel 
he  come  ter  de  lowmos'  lim's,  en  den  w'en  he  git  dar  he 
can't  come  down  no  furder,  'kaze  he  aint  got  no  claw  fer 
cling  by,  en  not  much  leg  fer  clamp. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  keep  on  hollerin',  *  Come  down!'  en  Brer 
Fox  keep  on  studyin'  how  he  gwine  ter  come  down.  Brer 
Rabbit,  he  'low,  sezee: 

'"Come  on,  Brer  Fox!  I  tuck'n  push  you  up,  en  ef 
I  'uz  dar  whar  you  is,  I'd  take'n  push  you  down/ 

"Brer  Fox  sat  dar  on  de  lowmos'  lim's  en  look  lak  he 
skeer'd.  Bimeby  Brer  Rabbit  tuck  he  stan'  'way  off  fum 
de  tree,  en  he  holler,  sezee: 

u<Ef  you'll  take'n  jump  out  dis  way,  Brer  Fox,  I'll 
ketch  you.' 

"Brer  Fox  look  up,  he  look  down,  he  look  all  'roun'. 
B  rer  Rabbit  come  little  closer,  en  'low,  sezee : 

" '  Hop  right  down  yer,  Brer  Fox,  en  I  '11  ketch  you.' 

"  Hit  keep  on  dis  a-way,  twel,  bimeby,  Brer  Fox  tuck 
a  notion  to  jump,  en  des  ez  he  jump  Brer  Rabbit  hop  out 
de  way  en  holler,  sezee: 

t(0w!  Scuze  me,  Brer  Fox!  I  stuck  a  brier  in  my 
foot!  Scuze  me,  Brer  Fox!  I  stuck  a  brier  in  my  foot!' 

"  En  dat  ole  Brer  Fox,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  drop- 
ing  his  voice  a  little,  "  dat  ole  Brer  Fox,  gentermens !  you 
oughter  bin  dar!  He  hit  de  groun'  like  a  sack  er  taters, 
en  it  des  nat'ally  knock  de  breff  out'n  'im.  W'en  he  git  up 
en  count  hisse'f  fer  ter  see  ef  he  all  dar,  he  aint  kin  walk 


362  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

skacely,  en  he  sat  dar  en  lick  de  so'  places  a  mighty  long 
time  *fo'  he  feel  lak  he  kin  make  he  way  todes  home." 

When  the  little  boy  wanted  to  know  what  became  of 
Brother  Rabbit  Uncle  Remus  said : 

"Shoo!  don't  you  pester  'bout  Brer  Rabbit.  He  kick 
up  he  heels  en  put  out  fum  dar."  Then  he  added:  "Dem 
ar  chick'ns  crowin'  'g'in,  honey.  Done  gone  by  nine 
er' clock.  Scoot  out  fum  dis.  Miss  Sally  '11  be  a-rakin'  me 
over  de  coals." 


LXIV 
MR.  HAWK  AND  BROTHER  BUZZARD 

ONE  night  the  little  boy  ran  into  Uncle  Remus's  cabin 
singing: 

"T-u  Turkey,  t-uTi, 
T-u  Turkey  Buzzard's  eye  /" 

Uncle  Remus,  Daddy  Jack,  Aunt  Tempy,  and  'Tildy 
were  all  sitting  around  the  fire,  for  the  Christmas  weather 
was  beginning  to  make  itself  rather  severely  felt.  As 
they  made  room  for  the  child,  Daddy  Jack  flung  his  head 
back,  and  took  up  the  song,  beating  time  with  his  foot : 

"  T-u  Tukry,  t-u  Ti, 
T-u  Tukry-Buzzud  y-eye ! 
T-u  Tukry,  t-u  Ting, 
T-u  Tukry-Buzzud  wing  ! " 

"Deyer  mighty  kuse  creeturs,"  said  'Tildy,  who  was 
sitting  rather  nearer  to  Daddy  Jack  than  had  been  her 


MR.  HAWK  AND  BROTHER  BUZZARD  363 

custom,  —  a  fact  to  which  Aunt  Tempy  had  already  called 
the  attention  of  Uncle  Remus  by  a  motion  of  her  head, 
causing  the  old  man  to  smile  a  smile  a^  broad  as  it  was 
wise.  "  Deyer  mighty  kuse,  an'  I  'm  fear'd  un  um,"  'Tildy 
went  on.  "  Dey  looks  so  lonesome  hit  makes  me  have  de 
creeps  fer  ter  look  at  um." 

"  Dey  no  hu't-a  you,"  said  Daddy  Jack,  soothingly. 
"You  flut  you'  han'  toze  um  dey  fly  'way  fum  dey-dey." 

"  I  dunno  'bout  dat,"  said  'Tildy.  "  Deyer  bal'-headed, 
an'  dat  w'at  make  me  'spize  um." 

Daddy  Jack  rubbed  the  bald  place  on  his  head  with 
such  a  comical  air  that  even  'Tildy  laughed.  The  old 
African  retained  his  good-humor. 

"You  watch  dem  Buzzud,"  he  said  after  awhile,  ad 
dressing  himself  particularly  to  the  little  boy.  "  'E  fly  high, 
'e  fly  low,  'e  fly  'way  'roun'.  Rain  come,  'e  flup  'e  wings, 
'e  light  'pon  dead  pine.  Rain  fall,  'e  hug  'ese'f  wit'  'e  wing, 
'e  scrooge  'e  neck  up.  Rain  come,  win'  blow,  da  Buzzud 
bin-a  look  ragged.  Da  Buzzud  bin-a  wink  'e  y-eye,  'e  say: 

:'Wun  da  win'  fer  stop  blow  un  da  rain  fer  stop  drip, 
me  go  mek  me  one  house.  Me  mek  um  tight  fer  keep  da 
rain  out;  me  pit  top  on  strong  fer  keep  da  win'  out.' 

"  Dun  da  rain  dry  up  un  da  win'  stop.  Da  Buzzud,  'e 
stan'  'pon  top  da  dead  pine.  Wun  da  sun  bin-a  shine,  'e 
no  mek  um  no  house  no'n  't  all.  'E  stay  'pon  da  dead 
pine;  'e  'tretch  'e  wing  wide  open;  'e  bin  dry  hisse'f  in 
da  sun.  'E  hab  mek  no  house  sence  'e  bin  born.  'E  one 
fool  bud." 

"  En  yit,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  a  grave,  judicial  air, 


364          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  I  year  tell  er  one  time  w'en  ole  Brer  Buzzard  wa'n't  so 
mighty  fur  outer  de  way  wid  he  notions." 

"Me  yent  yeddy  tahlk  'bout  dis,"  Daddy  Jack  ex 
plained. 

"  I  'speck  not,"  responded  Uncle  Remus.  "  Hit  seem 
lak  dat  dey  wuz  one  time  w'en  Mr.  Hawk  come  sailin' 
'roun'  huntin'  fer  sump'n'  'n'er  t'eat,  en  he  see  Brer  Buz 
zard  settin'  on  a  dead  lim',  lookin'  mighty  lazy  en  lonesome. 

"Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  'How  you  come  on,  Brer  Buz 
zard?' 

"Brer  Buzzard,  sezee,  'I'm  mighty  po'ly,  Brer  Hawk; 
po'ly  en  hongry.' 

"Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  'Wat  you  waitin'  yer  fer  ef  you 
hongry,  Brer  Buzzard  ? ' 

"Brer  Buzzard,  sezee,  'I'm  a-waitin'  on  de  Lord.' 

"Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  'Better  run  en  git  yo'  brekkus, 
Brer  Buzzard,  en  den  come  back  en  wait.' 

"Brer  Buzzard,  sezee,  'No,  Brer  Hawk,  I'll  go  bidout 
my  brekkus  druther  den  be  biggity  'bout  it.' 

"Mr.  Hawk,  he  'low,  sezee,  'Well,  den,  Brer  Buzzard, 
you  got  yo'  way  en  I  got  mine.  You  see  dem  ar  chick'ns, 
down  dar  in  Mr.  Man  hoss-lot?  I'm  a-gwine  down  dar 
en  git  one  un  um,  en  den  I  '11  come  back  yer  en  wait  'long 
wid  you.' 

"Wid  dat,  Mr.  Hawk  tuck'n  sail  off,  en  Brer  Buzzard 
drop  he  wings  down  on  de  lim'  en  look  mighty  lonesome. 
He  sot  dar  en  look  mighty  lonesome,  he  did,  but  he  keep 
one  eye  on  Mr.  Hawk. 

"  Mr.  Hawk,  he  sail  'roun'  en  'roun',  en  he  look  mighty 


MR.  HAWK  AND  BROTHER  BUZZARD   365 

purty.  He  sail  'roun'  en  'roun'  'bove  de  boss-lot  —  'roun' 
en  'roun'  —  en  bimeby  he  dart  down  at  chick'ns.  He  shot 
up  he  wings  en  dart  down,  he  did,  des  same  ef  he  'uz 
fired  out'n  a  gun." 

"Watch  out,  pullets!"  exclaimed  'Tildy,  in  a  tone  of 
warning. 

"  He  dart  down,  he  did,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  rub 
bing  his  hand  thoughtfully  across  the  top  of  his  head, 
"but  stidder  he  hittin'  de  chick'ns,  he  tuck'n  hit  'pon  de 
sharp  een'  un  a  fence-rail.  He  hit  dar,  he  did,  en  dar  he 
stuck." 

"  Ah-yi-ee ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack. 

"Dar  he  stuck.  Brer  Buzzard  sot  en  watch  'im.  Mr. 
Hawk  aint  move.  Brer  Buzzard  sot  en  watch  'im  some 
mo.'  Mr,  Hawk  aint  move.  He  done  stone  dead.  De 
mo'  Brer  Buzzard  watch  'im  de  mo'  hongrier  he  git,  en 
bimeby  he  gedder  up  he  wings,  en  sorter  clean  out  he 
year  wid  he  claw,  en  'low,  sezee : 

' '  I  know'd  de  Lord  'uz  gwineter  pervide.' " 

"Trufe  too!"  exclaimed  Aunt  Tempy.  "'Taint  bin  in 
my  min'  dat  Buzzard  got  sense  lak  dat ! " 

"Dar's  whar  you  missed  it,  Sis  Tempy,"  said  Uncle 
Remus  gravely.  "Brer  Buzzard,  he  tuck'n  drap  down 
fum  de  dead  lim',  en  he  lit  on  Mr.  Hawk,  en  had  'im  fer 
brekkus.  Hit's  a  mighty  'roun'  about  way  fer  ter  git 
chick'n-pie,  yit  hit's  lots  better  dan  no  way." 

"  I  'speck  Hawk  do  tas'e  like  chicken,"  remarked  'Tildy. 

"Dey  mos'  sho'ly  does,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  em 
phasis. 


366  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

LXV 
MR.  HAWK  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT 

"I  YEAR  tell  er  one  time,"  said  'Tildy,  "w'en  ole  Mr 
Hawk  tuck'n  kotch  Brer  Rabbit,  but  'taint  no  tale  like 
dem  you  all  bin  tellin'." 

"  Tell  it,  anyhow,  'Tildy,"  said  the  little  boy. 

"Well,  'taint  no  tale,  I  tell  you  dat  now.  One  time 
Brer  Rabbit  wuz  gwine  'long  thoo  de  bushes  singin'  ter 
hisse'f,  an'  he  see  a  shadder  pass  befo'  'im.  He  look  up, 
an'  dar  'uz  Mr.  Hawk  sailin'  'roun'  an  'roun5.  Time  he 
see  'im,  Brer  Rabbit  'gun  ter  kick  up  an'  sassy  'im. 

"Mr.  Hawk  aint  pay  no  'tention  ter  dis.  He  des  sail 
all  'roun'  an'  'roun'.  Eve'y  time  he  sail  'roun',  he  git 
little  closer,  but  Brer  Rabbit  aint  notice  dis.  He  too  busy 
wid  his  devilment.  He  shuck  his  fis'  at  Mr.  Hawk,  an' 
chunk'd  at  'im  wid  sticks;1  an'  atter  w'ile  he  tuck'n 
make  out  he  got  a  gun,  an'  he  tuck  aim  at  Mr.  Hawk,  an' 
'low'd,  '  Pow ! '  an'  den  he  holler  an'  laugh. 

"  All  dis  time  Mr.  Hawk  keep  on  sailin'  'roun'  an'  'roun' 
an'  gittin'  nigher  an'  nigher,  an'  bimeby  down  he  drapt 
right  slam-bang  on  Brer  Rabbit,  an'  dar  he  had  'im.  Brer 
Rabbit  fix  fer  ter  say  his  pra'rs,  but  'fo'  he  do  dat,  he  talk 
to  Mr.  Hawk,  an'  he  talk  mighty  fergivin'.  He  'low  he  did  : 

"'I  'uz  des  playin',  Mr.  Hawk;  I  'uz  dez  a-playin'. 
You  oughtn'  ter  fly  up  an'  git  mad  wid  a  little  bit  er  man 
like  me.' 

1  That  is  to  say,  threw  sticks  at  Mr.  Hawk. 


MR.  HAWK  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT     367 

"  Mr.  Hawk  ruffle  up  de  fedders  on  his  neck  an'  say : 
1 '  I  aint  flyin'  up,  I  'm  a-flyin'  down,  an'  w'en  I  fly  up, 
I'm  a-gwine  ter  fly  'way  wid  you.  You  bin  a-playin'  de 
imp  'roun'  in  dis  settlement  long  'miff ,  an'  now  ef  you  got 
any  will  ter  make,  you  better  make  it  quick,  'kaze  you  aint 
got  much  time.' 

" Brer  Rabbit  cry.    He  say: 

"I  mighty  sorry,  Mr.  Hawk,  dat  I  is.  I  got  some 
gol'  buried  right  over  dar  in  fence  cornder,  an'  I  wish  in 
my  soul  my  po'  little  childuns  know  whar  't  wuz,  'kaze  den 
dey  could  git  long  widout  me  fer  a  mont'  er  two.' 

"  Mr.  Hawk  'low,  *  Whar'bouts  is  all  dis  gol'  ? ' 

"Brer  Rabbit  'low,  'Right  over  dar  in  de  fence-corn- 
der.' 

"Mr.  Hawk  say  show  it  ter  'im.  Brer  Rabbit  say  he 
don't  keer  ef  he  do,  an'  he  say: 

"I'd  'a'  done  show'd  it  ter  you  long  'fo'  dis,  but  you 
hoi'  me  so  tight,  I  can't  wink  my  eye  skacely,  much  less 
walk  ter  whar  de  gol'  is.' 

"  Mr.  Hawk  say  he  fear'd  he  gwineter  try  ter  git  'way. 
Brer  Rabbit  say  dey  aint  no  danger  er  dat,  'kaze  he  one 
er  deze  yer  kinder  mens  w'en  dey  er  kotch  once  deyer 
kotch  fer  good. 

"  Mr.  Hawk  sorter  let  Brer  Rabbit  loose,  an'  dey  went 
todes  de  fence-cornder.  Brer  Rabbit,  he  went  'long  so  good 
dat  dis  sorter  ease  Mr.  Hawk  min'  'bout  he  gittin'  'way. 
Dey  got  ter  de  place  an'  Brer  Rabbit  look  all  'roun',  an' 
den  he  frown  up  like  he  got  some  mighty  bad  disap'int- 
ment,  an'  he  say: 


368  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"'You  may  b'lieve  me  er  not,  Mr.  Hawk,  but  we  er 
on  de  wrong  side  er  de  fence.  I  hid  dat  gol'  some'rs  right 
in  dat  cornder  dar.  You  fly  over  an'  I  '11  go  thoo.' 

"Tooby  sho'  dis  look  fa'r,  an'  Brer  Rabbit,  he  crope 
thoo'  de  fence,  an'  Mr.  Hawk  flew'd  'cross.  Time  he  lit 
on  t'er  side,  Mr.  Hawk  year  Brer  Rabbit  laugh." 

The  little  boy  asked  what  Brother  Rabbit  laughed  for, 
as  'Tildy  paused  to  adjust  a  flaming  red  ribbon-bow  pinned 
in  her  hair. 

"  'Kaze  dey  wuz  a  brier-patch  on  t'er  side  de  fence," 
said  'Tildy,  "an'  Brer  Rabbit  wuz  in  dar." 

"  I  boun'  you ! "  Aunt  Tempy  exclaimed.  "  He  'uz  in 
dar,  an'  dar  he  stayed  tel  Mr.  Hawk  got  tired  er  hangin' 
'roun'  dar." 

"Ah,  Lord,  chile!"  said  Uncle  Remus,  with  the  candor 
of  an  expert,  "some  er  dat  tale  you  got  right,  en  some 
you  got  wrong." 

"  Oh,  I  know'd  't  wa'n't  no  tale  like  you  all  bin  tellin'," 
replied  'Tildy,  modestly. 

"  Tooby  sho'  't  is,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  by  way  of 
encouragement ;  "  but  w'iles  we  gwine  'long  we  better 
straighten  out  all  de  kinks  dat '11  b'ar  straightenin'." 

"  Goodness  knows  I  aint  fittin'  ter  tell  no  tale,"  persisted 
'Tildy. 

"  Don't  run  yo'se'f  down,  gal,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  en 
couragingly  ;  "  ef  dey 's  to  be  any  runnin'  down  let  yuther 
folks  do  it;  en,  bless  yo'  soul,  dey '11  do  'nuff  un  it  bidout 
waitin'  fer  yo'  lettin'. 

"  Now,  den,  old  man  Hawk,  —  w'ich  dey  call  'im  Billy 


MR.  HAWK  AND  BROTHER  RABBIT     369 

Bluetail  in  my  day  en  time,  —  ole  man  Hawk,  he  tuck'n 
kotch  Brer  Rabbit  des  lak  you  done  said.  He  kotch  'im 
en  he  hilt  'im  in  a  mighty  tight  grip,  fct  'lone  dat  he  hilt 
'im  so  tight  dat  it  make  Brer  Rabbit  breff  come  short  lak 
he  des  come  off'n  a  long  jurney. 

"  He  holler  en  he  beg,  but  dat  aint  do  no  good ;  he 
squall  en  he  cry,  but  dat  aint  do  no  good;  he  kick  en  he 
groan,  but  dat  aint  do  no  good.  Den  Brer  Rabbit  lay 
still  en  study  'bout  w'at  de  name  er  goodness  he  gwine  do. 
Bimeby  he  up'n  'low: 

"'I  dunner  w'at  you  want  wid  me,  Mr.  Hawk,  w'en 
I  aint  a  mouf  full  fer  you,  skacely!' 

"Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  'I'll  make  way  wid  you,  en  den 
I  '11  go  ketch  me  a  couple  er  Jaybirds.' 

"  Dis  make  Brer  Rabbit  shake  wid  de  allovers,  'kaze 
ef  dey's  any  kinder  creetur  w'at  he  nat'ally  'spize  on  de 
topside  er  de  yeth,  hit 's  a  Jaybird. 

"Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'Do,  pray,  Mr.  Hawk,  go  ketch 
dem  Jaybirds  fus',  'kaze  I  can't  stan'  um  bein'  on  top  er 
me.  I  '11  stay  right  yer,  plum  twel  you  come  back/  sezee. 

"Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  'Oh-oh,  Brer  Rabbit,  you  done 
bin  fool  too  many  folks.  You  aint  fool  me,'  sezee. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  *  Ef  you  can't  do  dat,  Mr.  Hawk, 
den  de  bes'  way  fer  you  ter  do  is  ter  wait  en  lemme  git 
tame,  'kaze  I'm  dat  wil'  now  dat  I  don't  tas'e  good.' 

"  Mr.  Hawk,  sezee, '  Oh-oh ! ' 

"Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  'Well,  den,  ef  dat  won't  do,  you 
better  wait  en  lemme  grow  big  so  I'll  be  a  full  meal  er 
vittles.' 


370  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"  Mr.  Hawk,  sezee,  *  Now  youer  talkin'  sense ! ' 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  sezee,  *  En  I  '11  rush  'roun'  'mungs'  de 
bushes,  en  drive  out  Pa'tridges  fer  you,  en  we  '11  have  mo' 
fun  dan  w'at  you  kin  shake  a  stick  at.' 

"  Mr.  Hawk  sorter  study  'bout  dis,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
beg  en  he  'splain,  en  de  long  en  de  short  un  it  wuz,"  said 
Uncle  Remus,  embracing  his  knee  with  his  hands,  "dat 
Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  git  loose,  en  he  aint  git  no  bigger,  en 
needer  is  he  druv  no  Pa'tridges  fer  Mr.  Hawk." 

"De  Lord  he'p  my  soul!"  exclaimed  'Tildy,  and  this 
was  the  only  comment  made  upon  this  extraordinary 
story. 

LXVI 
THE  WISE  BIRD  AND  THE  FOOLISH  BIRD 

ALL  this  talk  about  Hawks  and  Buzzards  evidently  re 
minded  Daddy  Jack  of  another  story.  He  began  to  shake 
his  head  and  mumble  to  himself  ;  and,  finally,  when  he 
looked  around  and  found  that  he  had  attracted  the  atten 
tion  of  the  little  company,  he  rubbed  his  chin  and  grinned 
until  his  yellow  teeth  shone  in  the  firelight  like  those  of 
some  wild  animal,  while  his  small  eyes  glistened  under 
their  heavy  lids  with  a  suggestion  of  cunning  not  unmixed 
with  ferocity. 

"Talk  it  out,  Brer  Jack,"  said  Uncle  Remus;  "talk  it 
out.  All  nex'  week  we'll  be  a-fixin'  up  'bout  Chris'mus. 
Mars  Jeems,  he 's  a-comin'  up,  en  Miss  Sally  '11  have  lots 
er  yuther  comp'ny.  'Tildy  yer,  she'll  be  busy,  en  dish 


THE  WISE  BIRD  AND  THE  FOOLISH  BIRD    371 

yer  little  chap,  he  won't  have  no  time  fer  ter  be  settin*  up 
wid  de  ole  niggers,  en  Sis  Tempy,  she'll  have  'er  ban's 
full,  en  ole  Remus,  he'll  be  a-pirootin'  'roun'  huntin'  fer 
dat  w'at  he  kin  pick  up.  Time  's  a-passin',  Brer  Jack,  en 
we  all  er  passin'  wid  it.  Des  whirl  in  en  gin  us  de  upshot 
er  w'at  you  got  in  yo'  min'." 

"Enty!"  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  by  way  of  approval. 
"  One  time  dey  bin  two  bud.  One  bin  sma't  bud  ;  da 
turrer,  'e  bin  fool  bud.  Dey  bin  lif  in  da  sem  countree; 
da  bin  use  in  da  sem  swamp.  Da  sma't  bud,  'e  is  bin  come 
'pon  da  fool  bud;  'e  bin  tahlk.  'E  bin  say: 

' '  Ki !  you  long  in  da  leg,  you  deep  in  da  craw.  You 
bin  'tan'  well;  you  bin  las'  long  tarn.' 

"  Fool  bud,  'e  look  proud,  'e  toss  'e  head  ;  'e  say: 

"Me  no  mekky  no  brag.' 

*k  Sma't  bud,  'e  say: 

'  *  Less  we  try  see  fer  how  long  tarn  we  is  kin  go  'dout 
bittle  un  drink.' 

"  Fool  bud,  'e  'tretch  'e  neck,  'e  toss  'e  head ;  'e  say : 

44 '  All-a  right ;  me  beat-a  you  all  day  ebry  day.  Me 
beat-a  you  all  da  tarn.' 

"Sma't  bud,  'e  say: 

' '  Ef  you  bin  'gree  wit'  dis,  less  we  tek  we  place.  You 
git  'pon  da  crik-side  un  tekky  one  ho'n,  I  git  'pon  da 
tree  y-up  dey,  un  tekky  nurrer  ho'n.  Less  we  'tan'  dey- 
dey  tel  we  see  how  long  tarn  we  is  kin  do  'dout  bittle  un 
drink.  Wun  I  blow  'pon  me  ho'n  dun  you  blow  'pon 
you'  ho'n  fer  answer  me  ;  me  blow,  you  blow,  dun  we 
bote  blow.' 


872          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Fool  bud  walk  'bout  big;  'e  say: 

"'Me  will  do  urn!' 

"Nex'  day  mornin'  come.  Da  sma't  bud  bin  tekky 
one  ho'n  un  fly  'pon  da  tree.  De  fool  bud  bin  tekky  one 
nurrer  ho'n  un  set  by  da  crik-side.  Dey  bin  sta't  in  fer 
starf  deyse'f.  Da  fool  bud,  'e  stay  by  da  crik-side  wey 
dey  bin  no'n  't  all  fer  eat  ;  'e  no  kin  fin'  no  bittle  dey-dey. 
Sma't  bud  git  in  da  tree  da  y-ant  un  da  bug  swa'm  in 
da  bark  plenty.  'E  pick  dem  ant,  'e  y-eat  dem  ant;  'e 
pick  dem  bug,  'e  y-eat  dem  bug.  'E  pick  tel  'e  craw  come 
full;  he  feel  berry  good. 

"Fool  bud,  'e  down  by  da  crik-side.  'E  set  down,  'e 
come  tire' ;  'e  'tan'  up,  'e  come  tire' ;  'e  walk  'bout,  'e  come 
tire'.  'E  'tan'  'pon  one  leg,  he  'tan'  'pon  turrer;  'e  pit  'e 
head  need  'e  wing;  still  he  come  tire'.  Sma't  bud  shed  'e 
y-eye;  'e  feel  berry  good.  Wun  'e  come  hongry,  'e  pick 
ant,  'e  pick  bug,  tel  'e  hab  plenty,  toze  dinner-time  'e 
pick  up  'e  ho'n,  'e  toot  um  strong  — 

'  '  Tay-tay,  tenando  wanzando  waneanzo  /' 

"  Fool  bud  craw  bin  empty,  but  'e  hab  win'.  'E  tekky 
da  ho'n,  'e  blow  berry  well ;  he  mek  um  say : 

1  '  Tay-tay  tenando  wanzando  olando  ! ' 

"Sma't  bud  pick  ant  plenty;  'e  git  full  up.  'E  wait  tel 
mos'  toze  sundown ;  'e  blow  'pon  da  ho'n  — 

"  '  Tay-tay  tenando  wanzando  waneanzo ! ' 
"  Fool  bud  mek  answer,  but  'e  come  weak  ;   'e  yent 
hab  eat  nuttin'  't  all.     Soon  nex'  day  mornin'  sma't  bud 
tek  'e  ho'n  un  toot  um.   'E  done  bin  eat,  'e  done  bin 


BROTHER  TERRAPIN  GETS  SOME  FISH    373 

drink  dew  on  da  leaf.  Fool  bud,  'e  toot  um  ho'n,  'e  toot 
urn  slow. 

"Dinner-time,  sma't  bud  bin  tek  'e  ho'n  un  blow;  'e 
vent  bin  honkry  no'n  't  all;  'e  hab  good  feelin'.  Fool 
bud  toot  um  ho'n;  'e  toot  um  slow.  Night  tarn  come, 
'e  no  toot  um  no  mo'.  Sma't  bud  come  down,  'e  fin' 
um  done  gone  dead. 

"Watch  dem  'ceitful  folks  ;  'e  bin  do  you  bad."  1 


LXVII 
OLD  BROTHER  TERRAPIN  GETS  SOME  FISH 

"  DAT  tale,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "  puts  me  in  min'  er  de 
time  w'en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  had  a  tussle  wid  Brer  Mink. 
Hit  seem  lak,"  he  went  on,  in  response  to  inquiries  from 
the  little  boy,  "  dat  dey  bofe  live  'roun'  de  water  so  much 
en  so  long  dat  dey  git  kinder  stuck  up  long  wid  it.  Leas- 
ways  dat  'uz  de  trouble  wid  Brer  Mink.  He  jump  in  de 
water  en  swim  en  dive  twel  he  'gun  ter  b'leeve  dey  wa'n't 
nobody  kin  hoi'  der  han'  long  wid  'im. 

"  One  day  Brer  Mink  'uz  gwine  long  down  de  creek 
wid  a  nice  string  er  fish  swingin'  on  he  walkin'-cane,  w'en 
who  should  he  meet  up  wid  but  ole  Brer  Tarrypin.  De 
creeturs  'uz  all  hail  feller  wid  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  no 
sooner  is  he  seed  Brer  Mink  dan  he  bow  'im  howdy. 

1  Mrs.  H.  S.  Barclay,  of  Darien,  who  sends  this  story,  says  it  was  told 
by  a  native  African  woman,  of  good  intelligence,  who  claimed  to  be  a 
princess.  She  had  an  eagle  tattoed  on  her  bosom  —  a  sign  of  royalty. 


374          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  talk  'way  down  in  he  th'oat  lak  he  got 
bad  col'.  He  'low: 

' '  Heyo,  Brer  Mink !  Whar  you  git  all  dem  nice  string 
erfish?' 

"Brer  Mink  'uz  mighty  up-en-spoken  in  dem  days. 
He 'low,  he  did: 

" '  Down  dar  in  de  creek,  Brer  Tarrypin.' 

"Brer  Tarrypin  look  'stonish'.    He  say,  sezee: 

'"Well,  well,  well!  In  de  creek!  Who'd  er  b'leev'd 
it?' 

"Brer  Mink,  sezee  :  'Whar  I  gwine  ketch  um,  Brer 
Tarrypin,  ef  I  aint  ketch  um  in  de  creek  ? ' 

"Ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  sezee:  ' Dat 's  so,  Brer  Mink ;  but 
a  highlan'  man  lak  you  gwine  in  de  creek  atter  fish !  Hit 
looks  tumble,  Brer  Mink  —  dat  w'at  it  do ;  hit  des  looks 
tumble!' 

"  Brer  Mink,  sezee  :  *  Looks  er  no  looks,  dar  whar  I 
got  um.' 

"  Brer  Tarrypin  sorter  sway  he  head  fum  side  ter  side, 
en  'low: 

"'Ef  dat  de  case,  Brer  Mink,  den  sho'ly  you  mus'  be 
one  er  dem  ar  kinder  creeturs  w'at  usen  ter  de  water.' 

'  *  Dat 's  me,'  sez  Brer  Mink,  sezee. 

' '  Well,  den,'  sez  Brer  Tarrypin,  sezee,  '  I  'm  a  highlan' 
man  myse'f ,  en  it 's  bin  a  mighty  long  time  sence  I  got  my 
foots  wet,  but  I  don't  min'  goin'  in  washin'  'long  wid  you. 
Ef  youer  de  man  you  sez  you  is,  you  kin  outdo  me,'  sezee. 

"Brer  Mink,  sezee:  'How  we  gwine  do,  Brer  Tarry- 
pin?' 


BROTHER  TERRAPIN  GETS  SOME  FISH     375 

"  Ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  sezee :  '  We  'ull  go  down  dar  ter  de 
creek,  en  de  man  w'at  kin  stay  und'  de  water  de  longest, 
let  dat  man  walk  off  wid  dat  string  er  fish.' 

"  Brer  Mink,  sezee :  '  I  'm  de  ve'y  man  you  bin  lookin*  fer.' 

"Brer  Mink  say  he  don't  wanter  put  it  off  a  minnit. 
Go  he  would,  en  go  he  did.  Dey  went  down  ter  creek  en 
make  der  'rangerments.  Brer  Mink  lay  he  fish  down  on  der 
bank,  en  'im  en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  wade  in.  Brer  Tarry- 
pin  he  make  great  'miration  'bout  how  coP  he  water  is. 
He  flinch,  he  did,  en  'low : 

"Ow,  Brer  Mink!  Dish  yer  water  feel  mighty  coP 
and  't  aint  no  mo'n  up  ter  my  wais'.  Goodness  knows 
how  she  gwine  feel  w'en  she  git  up  und'  my  chin.' 

"Dey  wade  in,  dey  did,  en  Brer  Tarrypin  say,  sezee: 

' '  Now,  den,  Brer  Mink,  we  '11  make  a  dive,  en  de  man 
w'at  stay  und'  de  water  de  longest  dat  man  gits  de  fish.' 

"Brer  Mink  'low  dat's  de  way  he  look  at  it,  en  den 
Brer  Tarrypin  gun  de  wud,  en  und'  dey  went.  Co'se," 
said  Uncle  Remus,  after  a  little  pause,  "Brer  Tarrypin 
kin  stay  down  in  de  water  longer'n  Brer  Mink,  en  Brer 
Mink  mought  er  know'd  it.  Dey  stay  en  dey  stay,  twel 
bimeby  Brer  Mink  bleedz  ter  come  up,  en  he  tuck'n  kotch 
he  breff,  he  did,  lak  he  mighty  glad  fer  ter  git  back  ag'in. 
Den  atter  w'ile  Brer  Tarrypin  stuck  he  nose  out  er  de 
water,  en  den  Brer  Mink  say  Brer  Tarrypin  kin  beat 
'im.  Brer  Tarrypin  'low : 

"'No,  Brer  Mink;  hit's  de  bes'  two  out  er  th'ee.  Ef 
I  beats  you  dis  time  den  de  fish,  deyer  mine;  ef  I  gits 
6eated,  den  we  kin  take  'n'er  trial.' 


376  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Wid  dat,  down  dey  went,  but  Brer  Tarrypin  airit 
mo'n  dove  'fo'  up  he  come,  en  w'iles  Brer  Mink  'uz  down 
dar  honin'  fer  fresh  a'r,  he  tuck'n  gobble  up  de  las'  one  er 
de  fish,  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  did.  He  gobble  up  de  fish,  en 
he  'uz  fixin'  fer  ter  pick  he  toof,  but  by  dis  time  Brer  Mink 
bleedz  ter  come  up,  en  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  tuck'n  slid 
down  in  de  water.  He  slid  so  slick,"  said  Uncle  Remus, 
with  a  chuckle,  "dat  he  aint  lef  a  bubble.  He  aint  stay 
down  long,  n'er,  'fo'  he  come  up  en  he  make  lak  he  tee- 
totally  out  er  win'. 

"Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  come  up,  he  did,  en  look  'roun', 
en  'fo'  Brer  Mink  kin  say  a  wud,  he  holler  out: 

"  *  Youer  nice  man,  Brer  Mink !  Youer  mighty  nice  man ! ' 

"  *  Wat  I  done  now,  Brer  Tarrypin  ? ' 

"  *  Don 't  ax  me.  Look  up  dar  whar  you  bin  eatin'  dem 
fish  en  den  ax  yo'se'f .  Youer  mighty  nice  man ! ' 

"  Brer  Mink  look  'roun'  en,  sho'  'nuff ,  de  fish  done  gone. 
Ole  Brer  Tarrypin  keep  on  talkin' : 

"'You  tuck'n  come  up  fust,  en  w'iles  I  bin  down  dar 
in  de  water,  nat'ally  achin'  fer  lack  er  win',  yer  you  settin' 
up  chawin'  on  de  fish  w'ich  dey  oughter  bin  mine!' 

"Brer  Mink  stan'  'im  down  dat  he  aint  eat  dem  fish; 
he  'ny  it  ter  de  las',  but  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  make  out  he 
don't  b'leeve  'im.  He  say,  sezee: 

"'You'll  keep  gwine  on  dis  a-way,  twel  atter  w'ile 
you'll  be  wuss'n  Brer  Rabbit.  Don't  tell  me  you  aint 
git  dem  fish,  Brer  Mink,  'kaze  you  know  you  is.' 

"  Hit  sorter  make  Brer  Mink  feel  proud  'kaze  ole  Brer 
Tarrypin  mix  'im  up  wid  Brer  Rabbit,  'kaze  Brer  Rabbit 


BRO.  FOX  MAKES  A  NARROW  ESCAPE    377 

wuz  a  mighty  man  in  dem  days,  en  he  sorter  laugh,  Brer 
Mink  did,  lak  he  know  mo'  dan  he  gwine  tell.  Ole  Brer 
Tarrypin  keep  on  grumblin'. 

" '  I  aint  gwine  ter  git  mad  long  wid  you,  Brer  Mink, 
'kaze  hit 's  a  mighty  keen  trick,  but  you  oughter  be  'shame' 
yo'se'f  fer  ter  be  playin'  tricks  on  a  ole  man  lak  me  —  dat 
you  ought!' 

"  Wid  dat  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  went  shufflin'  off,  en  atter 
he  git  outer  sight  he  draw'd  back  in  he  house  en  shot  de 
do'  en  laugh  en  laugh  twel  dey  wa'n't  no  fun  in  laughin'." 


LXVIII 
BROTHER  FOX  MAKES  A  NARROW  ESCAPE 

THE  next  time  the  little  boy  had  an  opportunity  to  visit 
Uncle  Remus  the  old  man  was  alone,  but  he  appeared 
to  be  in  good  spirits.  He  was  cobbling  away  upon  what 
the  youngster  recognized  as  'Tildy's  Sunday  shoes,  and 
singing  snatches  of  a  song  something  like  this: 

"O  Mr.  Rabbit !  yo'  eye  mighty  big  — 

Yes,  my  Lord !  dey  er  made  fer  ter  see; 
O  Mr.  Rabbit !  yo'  tail  mighty  short  — 
Yes,  my  Lord !  hit  des  fits  me !  " 

The  child  waited  to  hear  more,  but  the  song  was  the 
same  thing  over  and  over  again  —  always  about  Brother 
Rabbit's  big  eyes  and  his  short  tail.  After  a  while  Uncle 
Remus  acknowledged  the  presence  of  his  little  partner 
by  remarking: 


378  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Well,  sir,  we  er  all  yer.  Brer  Jack  and  Sis  Tempy 
en  dat  ar  'Tildy  nigger  may  be  a-pacin'  'roun'  lookin'  in 
de  fence-cornders  fer  Chris'mus,  but  me  en  you  en  ole 
Brer  Rabbit,  we  er  all  yer,  en  ef  we  aint  right  on  de  spot, 
we  er  mighty  close  erroun'.  Yasser,  we  is  dat;  mo'  spe- 
shually  ole  Brer  Rabbit,  wid  he  big  eye  and  he  short  tail. 
Don't  tell  me  'bout  Brer  Rabbit!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Re 
mus,  with  a  great  apparent  enthusiasm,  "'kaze  dey  aint 
no  use  er  talkin'  'bout  dat  creetur." 

The  little  boy  was  very  anxious  to  know  why. 

"Well,  I  tell  you,"  said  the  old  man.  "One  time  dey 
wuz  a  monst'us  dry  season  in  de  settlement  whar  all  de 
creeturs  live  at,  en  drinkin'-water  got  mighty  skace.  De 
creeks  got  low,  en  de  branches  went  dry,  en  all  de  springs 
make  der  disappearance  'cep'n  one  great  big  un  whar 
all  de  creeturs  drunk  at.  Dey  'd  all  meet  dar,  dey  would, 
en  de  bigges'  'ud  drink  fus',  en  by  de  time  de  big  uns  all 
done  swaje  der  thuss  1  dey  wa'n't  a  drap  lef  fer  de  little 
uns  skacely. 

"  Co'se  Brer  Rabbit  'uz  on  de  happy  side.  Ef  anybody 
gwine  git  water  Brer  Rabbit  de  man.  De  creeturs  'ud  see 
he  track  'roun'  de  spring,  but  dey  aint  nev'  ketch  'im. 
Hit  got  so  atter  w'ile  dat  de  big  creeturs  'ud  crowd  Brer 
Fox  out,  en  den  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  hunt  up  Brer  Rabbit 
en  ax  'im  w'at  he  gwine  do. 

"  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sorter  study,  en  den  he  up'n  tell  Brer 
Fox  fer  ter  go  home  en  rub  some  'lasses  all  on  hisse'f  en 
den  go  out  en  waller  in  de  leafs.  Brer  Fox  ax  w'at  he 

1  Assuaged  their  thirst. 


BRO.  FOX  MAKES  A  NARROW  ESCAPE    379 

mus'  do  den,  en  Brer  Rabbit  say  he  mus'  go  down  by  de 
spring,  en  w'en  de  creeturs  come  ter  de  spring  fer  ter  git 
dey  water,  he  mus'  jump  out  at  um,  eiA  den  atter  dat  he 
mus'  waller  lak  he  one  er  dem  ar  kinder  varment  w'at 
got  bugs  on  um. 

"Brer  Fox,  he  put  out  fer  home,  he  did,  en  w'en  he  git 
dar  he  run  ter  de  cubbud l  en  des  gawm  hisse'f  wid  'lasses, 
en  den  he  went  out  in  de  bushes,  he  did,  en  waller  in  de 
leafs  en  trash  twel  he  look  mos'  bad  ez  Brer  Rabbit  look 
w'en  he  play  Wull-er-de-Wust  on  de  creeturs. 

"  W'en  Brer  Fox  git  hisse'f  all  fix  up,  he  went  down  ter 
de  spring  en  hide  hisse'f.  Bimeby  all  de  creeturs  come 
atter  der  water,  en  w'iles  dey  'uz  a-scufrm'  en  a-hunch- 
in',  en  a-pushin'  en  a-scrougin',  Brer  Fox  he  jump  out'n 
de  bushes  en  sorter  switch  hisse'f  'roun',  en,  bless  yo* 
soul,  he  look  lak  de  Ole  Boy. 

"Brer  Wolf  tuck'n  see  'im  fus',  en  he  jump  spang  over 
Brer  B'ar  head.  Brer  B'ar,  he  lip  back,  en  ax  who  dat, 
en  des  time  he  do  dis  de  t'er  creeturs  dey  tuck'n  make  a 
break,  dey  did,  lak  punkins  rollin'  down  hill,  en  mos'  'fo' 
youk'n  wink  yo'  eye-ball,  Brer  Fox  had  de  range  er  de 
spring  all  by  hisse'f. 

"  Yit  't  wa'n't  fur  long,  'kaze  'fo'  de  creeturs  mov'd  fur, 
dey  tuck'n  tu'n  'roun',  dey  did,  en  crope  back  fer  ter  see 
w'at  dat  ar  skeery  lookin'  varment  doin'.  W'en  dey  git 
back  in  seein'  distuns  dar  'uz  Brer  Fox  walkin'  up  en 
down  switchin'  hisse'f. 

"  De    creeturs    dunner  w'at    ter    make    un   'im.    Dey 

,  1  Cupboard. 


380  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

watch,  en  Brer  Fox  march  ;  dey  watch,  en  he  march.  Hit 
keep  on  dis  a-way  twel  bimeby  Brer  Fox  'gun  ter  waller 
in  de  water,  en  right  dar,"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  leaning 
back  to  laugh,  "  right  dar  'uz  whar  Brer  Rabbit  had  'im. 
Time  he  'gun  ter  waller  in  de  water  de  'lasses  'gun  ter 
melt,  en  'twa'n't  no  time  skacely  'fo'  de  'lasses  en  de  leafs 
done  all  wash  off,  en  dar  'uz  ole  Brer  Fox  des  ez  natchul 
ez  life. 

"  De  fus'  Brer  Fox  know  'bout  de  leafs  comin'  off,  he 
year  Brer  B'ar  holler  on  top  er  de  hill : 

"'You  head  'im  off  down  dar,  Brer  Wolf,  en  I'll  head 
'im  off  'roun'  yer ! ' 

"  Brer  Fox  look  'roun'  en  he  see  all  de  leafs  done  come 
off,  en  wid  dat  he  make  a  break,  en  he  wa'n't  none  too 
soon,  n'er,  'kaze  little  mo'  en  de  creeturs  'ud  'a'  kotch 
'im." 

Without  giving  the  little  boy  time  to  ask  any  questions, 
Uncle  Remus  added  another  verse  to  his  Rabbit  song,  and 
harped  on  it  for  several  minutes : 

"  O  Mr.  Rabbit !  yo'  year  mighty  long  — 
Yes,  my  Lord !  dey  made  fer  ter  las'; 
O  Mr.  Rabbit  I  yo'  toof  mighty  sharp  — 
Yes,  my  Lord !  dey  cuts  down  grass  I " 


BROTHER  FOX'S  FISH-TRAP  381 

LXIX 
BROTHER  FOX'S  FISH-TRAP 

THE  little  boy  wanted  Uncle  Remus  to  sing  some  more; 
but  before  the  old  man  could  either  consent  or  refuse,  the 
notes  of  a  horn  were  heard  in  the  distance.  Uncle  Remus 
lifted  his  hand  to  command  silence,  and  bent  his  head  in 
an  attitude  of  attention. 

"Des  listen  at  dat!"  he  exclaimed,  with  some  show  of 
indignation.  "Dat  aint  nothin'  in  de  roun'  worl'  but  ole 
man  Plato  wid  dat  tin  hawn  er  his'n,  en  I  boun'  you  he 's 
a-drivin'  de  six  mule  waggin,  en  de  waggin  full  er  niggers 
fum  de  River  place,  en  let  'lone  dat,  I  boun'  you  deyer  nig 
gers  strung  out  behime  de  waggin  fer  mo'n  a  mile,  en  deyer 
all  er  comin'  yer  fer  ter  eat  us  all  out'n  house  en  home, 
des  'kaze  dey  year  folks  say  Chris'mus  mos'  yer.  Hit's 
mighty  kuse  unter  me  dat  ole  man  Plato  aint  done  toot 
dat  hawn  full  er  holes  long  'fo'  dis. 

"  Yit  I  aint  blainin'  um,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  with  a 
sigh,  after  a  little  pause.  "  Dem  ar  niggers  bin  livin'  'way 
off  dar  on  de  River  place  whar  dey  aint  no  w'ite  folks  twel 
dey  er  done  in  about  run'd  wil'.  I  aint  a-blamin'  um,  dat 
I  aint." 

Plato's  horn  —  a  long  tin  bugle  —  was  by  no  means 
unmusical.  Its  range  was  limited,  but  in  Plato's  hands 
its  few  notes  were  both  powerful  and  sweet.  Presently 
the  wagon  arrived,  and  for  a  few  minutes  all  was  confu 
sion,  the  negroes  on  the  Home  place  running  to  greet  the 


382  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

new-comers,  who  were  mostly  their  relatives.  A  stranger 
hearing  the  shouts  and  outcries  of  these  people  would  have 
been  at  a  loss  to  account  for  the  commotion. 

Even  Uncle  Remus  went  to  his  cabin  door,  and,  with 
the  little  boy  by  his  side,  looked  out  upon  the  scene,  —  a 
tumult  lit  up  by  torches  of  resinous  pine.  The  old  man 
and  the  child  were  recognized,  and  for  a  few  moments  the 
air  was  filled  with  cries  of: 

"  Howdy,  Unk  Remus !    Howdy,  little  Marster ! " 

After  a  while  Uncle  Remus  closed  his  door,  laid  away 
his  tools,  and  drew  his  chair  in  front  of  the  wide  hearth. 
The  child  went  and  stood  beside  him,  leaning  his  head 
against  the  old  negro's  shoulder,  and  the  two  —  old  age 
and  youth,  one  living  in  the  Past  and  the  other  looking 
forward  only  to  the  Future  —  gazed  into  the  bed  of  glowing 
embers  illuminated  by  a  thin,  flickering  flame.  Probably 
they  saw  nothing  there,  each  being  busy  with  his  own  sim 
ple  thoughts;  but  their  shadows,  enlarged  out  of  all  pro 
portion,  and  looking  over  their  shoulders  from  the  wall 
behind  them,  must  have  seen  something,  for,  clinging 
together,  they  kept  up  a  most  incessant  pantomime ;  and 
Plato's  horn,  which  sounded  again,  to  call  the  negroes 
to  supper  after  their  journey,  though  it  aroused  Uncle 
Remus  and  the  child  from  the  contemplation  of  the  fire, 
had  no  perceptible  effect  upon  the  Shadows. 

"Dar  go  de  vittles!"  said  Uncle  Remus,  straightening 
himself.  "Dey  tells  me  dat  dem  ar  niggers  on  de  River 
place  got  appetite  same  ez  a  mule.  Let  'lone  de  vittles 
w'at  dey  gits  from  Mars  John,  dey  eats  oodles  en  oodles 


BROTHER  FOX'S  FISH-TRAP  383 

er  fish.  Ole  man  Plato  say  dat  de  nigger  on  de  River 
place  w'at  aint  got  a  fish-baskit  in  de  river  er  some  intruss 1 
in  a  fish-trap  aint  no  'count  w'atsomevtr." 

Here  Uncle  Remus  suddenly  slapped  himself  upon  the 
leg,  and  laughed  uproariously;  and  when  the  little  boy 
asked  him  what  the  matter  was,  he  cried  out: 

"Well,  sir!  Ef  I  aint  de  fergittenest  ole  nigger  twix' 
dis  en  Phillimerdelphy !  Yer  'tis  mos'  Chris'mus  en  I 
aint  tell  you  'bout  how  Brer  Rabbit  do  Brer  Fox  w'ence 
dey  bofe  un  um  live  on  de  river.  I  dunner  w'at  de  name 
er  sense  gittin'  de  marter  'long  wid  me." 

Of  course  the  little  boy  wanted  to  know  all  about  it, 
and  Uncle  Remus  proceeded : 

"  One  time  Brer  Fox  en  Brer  Rabbit  live  on  de  river. 
Atter  dey  bin  livin'  dar  so  long  a  time,  Brer  Fox  'low 
dat  he  got  a  mighty  hankerin'  atter  sump'n'  'sides  fresh 
meat,  en  he  say  he  b'leeve  he  make  'im  a  fish-trap.  Brer 
Rabbit  say  he  wish  Brer  Fox  mighty  well,  but  he  aint 
honin'  atter  fish  hisse'f,  en  ef  he  is  he  aint  got  no  time 
fer  ter  make  no  fish-trap. 

"No  marter  fer  dat,  Brer  Fox,  he  tuck'n  got  'im  out 
some  timber,  he  did,  en  he  wuk  nights  fer  ter  make  dat 
trap.  Den  w'en  he  git  it  done,  he  tuck'n  hunt  'im  a  good 
place  fer  ter  set  it,  en  de  way  he  sweat  over  dat  ar  trap  wuz 
a  sin  —  dat  't  wuz. 

"Yit  atter  so  long  a  time,  he  got  'er  sot,  en  den  he 
tuck'n  wash  he  face  en  han's  en  go  home.  All  de  time 
he  'uz  fixin'  un  it  up,  Brer  Rabbit  'uz  settin'  on  de  bank 

1  Interest. 


384  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

watchin'  'im.  He  sot  dar,  he  did,  en  play  in  de  water,  en 
cut  switches  fer  ter  w'ip  at  de  snake-doctors,1  en  all  dat 
time  Brer  Fox,  he  pull  en  haul  en  tote  rocks  fer  ter  hoi' 
dat  trap  endurin'  a  freshet. 

"Brer  Fox  went  home  en  res'  hisse'f,  en  bimeby  he  go 
down  fer  ter  see  ef  dey  any  fish  in  he  trap.  He  sorter 
fear'd  er  snakes,  but  he  feel  'roun'  an  he  feel  'roun',  yit  he 
aint  feel  no  fish.  Den  he  go  off. 

"Bimeby,  'long  todes  de  las'  er  de  week,  he  go  down 
en  feel  'roun'  'g'in,  yit  he  aint  feel  no  fish.  Hit  keep  on 
dis  a-way  twel  Brer  Fox  git  sorter  fag  out.  He  go  en  he 
feel,  but  dey  aint  no  fish  dar.  Atter  w'ile,  one  day,  he  see 
de  signs  whar  somebody  bin  robbin'  he  trap,  en  he  'low 
ter  hisse'f  dat  he  '11  des  in  'bout  watch  en  fine  out  who  de 
somebody  is. 

"Den  he  tuck'n  got  in  he  boat  en  paddle  und'  de 
bushes  on  de  bank  en  watch  he  fish-trap.  He  watch  all 
de  mornin' ;  nobody  aint  come.  He  watch  all  endurin'  er 
atter  dinner;  nobody  aint  come.  'Long  todes  night,  w'en 
he  des  'bout  makin'  ready  fer  ter  paddle  off  home,  he 
year  fuss  on  t'er  side  de  river,  en  lo  en  beholes,  yer  come 
Brer  Rabbit  polin'  a  boat  right  todes  Brer  Fox  fish-trap. 

"Look  lak  he  dunner  how  to  use  a  paddle,  en  he  des 
had  'im  a  long  pole,  en  he  'd  stan'  up  in  de  behime  part 
er  he  boat,  en  put  de  een'  er  de  pole  'gin'  de  bottom, 
en  shove  'er  right  ahead. 

"Brer  Fox  git  mighty  mad  w'en  he  see  dis,  but  he 
watch  en  wait.  He  'low  ter  hisse'f,  he  did,  dat  he  kin 

1  Dragon-flies. 


BROTHER  FOX'S  FISH-TRAP  385 

paddle  a  boat  pearler  dan  anybody  kin  pole  um,  en  he  say 
he  sho'ly  gwine  ketch  Brer  Rabbit  dis  time. 

"  Brer  Rabbit  pole  up  ter  de  fish-trap,  en  feel  'roun'  en 
pull  out  a  great  big  mud-cat;  den  he  retch  in  en  pull  out 
Ver  big  mud-cat;  den  he  pull  out  a  big  blue  cat,  en  it 
keep  on  dis  a-way  twel  he  git  de  finest  mess  er  fish  you 
mos'  ever  laid  yo'  eyes  on. 

"  Des  'bout  dat  time,  Brer  Fox  paddle  out  fum  und'  de 
bushes,  en  make  todes  Brer  Rabbit,  en  he  holler  out : 

"'Ah-yi!  Youer  de  man  w'at  bin.robbin'  my  fish-trap 
dis  long  time!  I  got  you  dis  time!  Oh,  you  nee'nter 
try  ter  run !  I  got  you  dis  time  sho' ! ' 

"No  sooner  said  dan  no  sooner  done.  Brer  Rabbit 
fling  he  fish  in  he  boat  en  grab  up  de  pole  en  push  off,  en 
he  had  mo'  fun  gittin'  'way  fum  dar  dan  he  y-ever  had 
befo'  in  all  he  born  days  put  terge'er." 

"  Why  did  n't  Brother  Fox  catch  him,  Uncle  Remus  ? " 
asked  the  little  boy. 

"  Shoo  I  Honey,  you  sho'ly  done  lose  yo'  min'  'bout 
Brer  Rabbit." 

"Well,  I  don't  see  how  he  could  get  away." 

"  Ef  you  'd  er  bin  dar  you  'd  er  seed  it,  dat  you  would. 
Brer  Fox,  he  wuz  dar,  en  he  seed  it,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he 
seed  it,  en  e'en  down  ter  ole  Brer  Bull-frog,  a-settin'  on 
de  bank,  he  seed  it.  Now,  den,"  continued  Uncle  Remus, 
spreading  out  the  palm  of  his  left  hand  like  a  map  and 
pointing  at  it  with  the  forefinger  of  his  right,  "  w'en  Brer 
Rabbit  pole  he  boat,  he  bleedz  ter  set  in  de  behime  een', 
en  w'en  Brer  Fox  paddle  he  boat,  lie  bleedz  ter  set  in  de 


386          NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE   REMUS 

behime  een'.  Dat  bein'  de  state  er  de  condition,  how 
Brer  Fox  gwine  ketch  'im?  I  aint  'sputin'  but  w'at  he 
kin  paddle  pearter  dan  Brer  Rabbit,  but  de  long  en  de 
shorts  un  it  is,  de  pearter  Brer  Fox  paddle  de  pearter 
Brer  Rabbit  go." 

The  little  boy  looked  puzzled.  "Well,  I  don't  see  how," 
he  exclaimed. 

"Well,  sir!"  continued  Uncle  Remus,  "w'en  de  nose 
er  Brer  Fox  boat  git  close  ter  Brer  Rabbit  boat  all  Brer 
Rabbit  got  ter  do  in  de  roun*  worl'  is  ter  take  he  pole  en 
put  it  'gin'  Brer  Fox  boat  en  push  hisse'f  out  de  way. 
De  harder  he  push  Brer  Fox  boat  back,  de  pearter  he  push 
he  own  boat  forrerd.  Hit  look  mighty  easy  ter  ole  Brer 
Bull-frog  settin'  on  de  bank,  en  all  Brer  Fox  kin  do  is  ter 
shake  he  fist  en  grit  he  toof,  w'iles  Brer  Rabbit  sail  off  wid 
de  fish." 

LXX 

BROTHER  RABBIT  RESCUES  BROTHER 
TERRAPIN 

THE  arrival  of  the  negroes  from  the  River  place  added 
greatly  to  the  enthusiasm  with  which  the  Christmas  holi 
days  were  anticipated  on  the  Home  place,  and  the  air 
was  filled  with  laughter  day  and  night.  Uncle  Remus 
appeared  to  be  very  busy,  though  there  was  really  no 
thing  to  be  done  except  to  walk  around  and  scold  at 
everybody  and  everything,  in  a  good-humored  way,  and 
this  the  old  man  could  do  to  perfection. 


BRO.  RABBIT  RESCUES  BRO.  TERRAPIN    387 

The  night  before  Christmas  eve,  however,  the  little  boy 
saw  a  light  in  Uncle  Remus's  cabin,  and  he  interpreted  it 
as  in  some  sort  a  signal  of  invitation.  He  found  the  old 
man  sitting  by  the  fire  and  talking  to  himself: 

"Ef  Mars  John  and  Miss  Sally  'specks  me  fer  ter 
keep  all  deze  yer  niggers  straight  deyer  gwine  ter  be  dis- 
erp'inted,  —  dat  dey  is.  Ef  dey  wuz  'lev'm  Remuses 
't  would  n't  make  no  diffunce,  let  'lone  one  po'  ole  crip 
ple  creetur  lak  me.  Dey  aint  done  no  damage  yit,  but  I 
boun'  you  by  termorrer  night  dey '11  tu'n  loose  en  tu'n  de 
whole  place  upside  down,  en  t'ar  it  up  by  de  roots,  en  den 
atter  hit 's  all  done  gone  en  done,  yer  '11  come  Miss  Sally 
a-layin'  it  all  at  ole  Remus  do'.  Nigger  aint  got  much 
chance  in  deze  yer  low-groun's,  mo'  speshually  w'en  dey 
gits  ole  en  cripple  lak  I  is." 

"What  are  they  going  to  do  to-morrow  night,  Uncle 
Remus  ? "  the  little  boy  inquired. 

''Now  w'at  make  you  ax  dat,  honey?"  exclaimed  the 
old  man,  in  a  grieved  tone.  "You  knows  mighty  well 
how  dey  done  las'  year  en  de  year  'fo'  dat.  Dey  tuck'n 
cut  up  'roun'  yer  wuss'n  ef  dey  'uz  wil'  creeturs,  en  ter 
morrer  night  dey  '11  be  a-hollin'  en  whoopin'  en  singin'  en 
dancin'  'fo'  it  git  dark  good.  I  wish  w'en,  you  go  up  ter 
de  big  house  you  be  so  good  ez  ter  tell  Miss  Sally  dat  ef 
she  want  any  peace  er  min'  she  better  git  off  n  de  place 
en  stay  off  twel  atter  deze  yer  niggers  git  dey  fill  er  Chris'- 
mus.  Goodness  knows,  she  can't  'speck  a  ole  cripple  nig 
ger  lak  me  fer  ter  ketch  holt  en  keep  all  deze  yer  niggers 
straight." 


388  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

Uncle  Remus  would  have  kept  up  his  vague  com 
plaints,  but  right  in  the  midst  of  them  Daddy  Jack  stuck 
his  head  in  at  the  door,  and  said: 

"  Oona  bin  fix  da'  'Tildy  gal  shoe.  Me  come  fer  git 
dem  shoe;  me  come  fer  pay  you  fer  fix  dem  shoe." 

Uncle  Remus  looked  at  the  grinning  old  African  in 
astonishment.  Then  suddenly  the  truth  dawned  upon  him 
and  he  broke  into  a  loud  laugh.  Finally  he  said : 

"  Come  in,  Brer  Jack !  Come  right  'long  in.  I  'm  sorter 
po'ly  myse'f,  yit  I'll  make  out  ter  make  you  welcome. 
Dey  wuz  a  quarter  dollar  gwine  inter  my  britches-pocket 
on  de  'count  er  dem  ar  shoes,  but  ef  youer  gwine  ter  pay 
fer  um  't  won't  be  but  a  sev'mpunce." 

Somehow  or  other  Daddy  Jack  failed  to  relish  Uncle 
Remus's  tone  and  manner,  and  he  replied,  with  some 
display  of  irritation : 

"  Shuh-shuh !  Me  no  come  in  no'n  't  all.  Me  no  pay 
you  se'mpunce.  Me  come  fer  pay  you  fer  dem  shoe;  me 
come  fer  tek  um  'way  fum  dey-dey." 

"  I  dunno  'bout  dat,  Brer  Jack,  I  dunno  'bout  dat.  De 
las'  time  I  year  you  en  'Tildy  gwine  on,  she  wuz  'pun  de 
p'ints  er  knockin'  yo'  brains  out.  Now  den,  s'pozen  I 
whirls  in  en  gins  you  de  shoes,  en  den  'Tildy  come  'long 
en  ax  me  'bout  um,  w'at  I  gwine  say  ter  'Tildy  ? " 

"Me  pay  you  fer  dem  shoe,"  said  Daddy  Jack,  seeing 
the  necessity  of  argument,  "un  me  tek  um  wey  da  lil 
'Tildy  gal  bin  stay.  She  tell  me  fer  come  git-a  dem  shoe." 

"Well,  den,  yer  dey  is,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  sighing 
deeply  as  he  handed  Daddy  Jack  the  shoes.  "  Yer  dey  is, 


BRO.  RABBIT  RESCUES  BRO.  TERRAPIN    389 

en  youer  mo'  dan  welcome,  dat  you  is.  But  spite  er  dat, 
dis  yer  quarter  you  flingin'  'way  on  um  would  er  done  you 
a  sight  mo'  good  dan  w'at  dem  shoes  is." 

This  philosophy  was  altogether  lost  upon  Daddy  Jack, 
who  took  the  shoes  and  shuffled  out  with  a  grunt  of  satis 
faction.  He  had  scarcely  got  out  of  hearing  before  'Tildy 
pushed  the  door  open  and  came  in.  She  hesitated  a  mo 
ment,  and  then,  seeing  that  Uncle  Remus  paid  no  atten 
tion  to  her,  she  sat  down  and  picked  at  her  fingers  with  an 
air  quite  in  contrast  to  her  usual  "  uppishness,"  as  Uncle 
Remus  called  it. 

"  Unk  Remus,"  she  said,  after  awhile,  in  a  subdued  tone, 
"  is  dat  old  Affikin  nigger  bin  yer  atter  dem  ar  shoes  ?  " 

"Yas,  chile,"  replied  Uncle  Remus,  with  a  long-drawrn 
sigh,  "he  done  bin  yer  en  got  um  en  gone.  Yas,  honey, 
he  done  got  um  en  gone;  done  come  en  pay  fer  'm,  en 
got  um  en  gone.  I  sez,  sez  I,  dat  I  wish  you  all  mighty 
well,  en  he  tuck'n  tuck  de  shoes  en  put.  Yas,  chile,  he 
done  got  um  en  gone." 

Something  in  Uncle  Remus's  sympathetic  and  soothing 
tone  seemed  to  exasperate  'Tildy.  She  dropped  her  hands 
in  her  lap,  straightened  herself  up  and  exclaimed: 

"  Yas,  I  'm  is  gwine  ter  marry  dat  ole  nigger  an'  I  don't 
keer  who  knows  it.  Miss  Sally  say  she  don't  keer,  an'  t'er 
folks  may  keer  ef  dey  wanter,  an'  much  good  der  keerin' 
'11  do  um." 

'Tildj  evidently  expected  Uncle  Remus  to  make  some 
characteristic  comment,  for  she  sat  and  watched  him 
with  her  lips  firmly  pressed  together  and  her  eyelids 


390  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

half-closed,  —  an  attitude  of  defiance  significant  enough 
when  seen,  but  difficult  to  describe.  But  the  old  man 
made  no  response  to  the  challenge.  He  seemed  to  be 
very  busy.  Presently  'Tildy  went  on : 

"  Somebody  bleedz  to  take  keer  er  dat  ole  nigger,  an'  I 
dunner  who  gwine  ter  do  it  ef  I  don't.  Somebody  bleedz 
ter  look  atter  'im.  Good  win'  come  'long  hit  'ud  in  about 
blow  'im  'way  ef  dey  wa'n't  somebody  close  'roun'  fer  ter 
take  keer  un  'im.  Let  'lone  dat,  I  aint  gwineter  have  dat 
ole  nigger  man  fever  'n  'ternally  trottin'  atter  me.  I  tell 
you  de  Lord's  trufe,  Unk  Remus,"  continued  'Tildy, 
growing  confidential,  "  I  aint  had  no  peace  er  min'  sence 
dat  ole  nigger  man  come  on  dis  place.  He  des  bin  a-pacin' 
at  my  heels  de  whole  blessed  time,  an'  I  bleedz  ter  marry 
'im  fer  git  rid  un  'im." 

"Well,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "hit  don't  s'prize  me. 
You  marry  en  den  youer  des  lak  Brer  Fox  wid  he  bag. 
You  know  w'at  you  put  in  it,  but  you  dunner  w'at  you 
got  in  it." 

'Tildy  flounced  out  without  waiting  for  an  explanation, 
but  the  mention  of  Brother  Fox  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  little  boy,  and  he  wanted  to  know  what  was  in  the 
bag,  how  it  came  to  be  there,  and  all  about  it. 

"Now,  den,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  "hit's  a  tale,  en  a 
mighty  long  tale  at  dat,  but  I'll  des  hatter  cut  it  short, 
'kaze  termorrer  night  you  '11  wanter  be  a-settin'  up  lis'nen 
at  de  kyar'n's  on  er  dem  ar  niggers,  w'ich  I  b'leeve  in  my 
soul  dey  done  los'  all  de  sense  dey  ever  bin  bornded  wid. 

"  One  time  Brer  Fox  wuz  gwine  on  down  de  big  road, 


BRO.  RABBIT  RESCUES  BRO.  TERRAPIN    391 

en  he  look  ahead  en  he  see  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  makin'  he 
way  on  todes  home.  Brer  Fox  'low  dis  a  mighty  good 
time  fer  ter  nab  ole  Brer  Tarrypin,  en  no  sooner  is  he 
thunk  it  dan  he  put  out  back  home,  w'ich  't  wra'n't  but  a 
little  ways,  en  he  git  'im  a  bag.  He  come  back,  he  did,  en 
he  run  up  behime  ole  Brer  Tarrypin  en  flip  'im  in  de  bag 
en  sling  de  bag  'cross  he  back  en  go  gallin-up  back  home. 

*'  Brer  Tarrypin,  he  holler,  but  't  aint  do  no  good,  he 
rip  en  he  r'ar,  but  't  aint  do  no  good.  Brer  Fox  des  keep 
on  a-gwine,  en  't  wa'n't  long  'fo'  he  had  ole  Brer  Tarry- 
pin  slung  up  in  de  cornder  in  de  bag,  en  de  bag  tied  un 
hard  en  fas'. 

"  But  w'iles  all  dis  gwine  on,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Remus, 
employing  the  tone  and  manner  of  some  country  preacher 
he  had  heard,  "  whar  wuz  ole  Brer  Rabbit  ?  Yasser  — 
dats  it,  whar  wuz  he  ?  En  mo'n  dat,  w'at  you  'speck  he 
'uz  doin'  en  whar  you  reckon  he  wer'  gwine  ?  Dat 's  de 
way  ter  talk  it;  wrhar'bouts  wuz  he  ?" 

The  old  man  brought  his  right  hand  down  upon  his 
knee  with  a  thump  that  jarred  the  tin-plate  and  cups 
on  the  mantel-shelf,  and  then  looked  around  with  a  severe 
frowrn  to  see  what  the  chairs  and  the  work-bench,  and 
the  walls  and  the  rafters,  had  to  say  in  response  to  his 
remarkable  argument.  He  sat  thus  in  a  waiting  attitude 
a  moment,  and  then,  finding  that  no  response  came  from 
anything  or  anybody,  his  brow  gradually  cleared,  and  a 
smile  of  mingled  pride  and  satisfaction  spread  over  his 
face,  as  he  continued  in  a  more  natural  tone : 

"Youk'n  b'leeve  me  er  not  b'leeve  des  ez  youer  min* 


392  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

ter,  but  dat  ar  long-year  creetur  —  dat  ar  hoppity-skippity 
—  dat  ar  up-en-down-en-sailin'-'roun'  Brer  Rabbit,  w'ich 
you  bin  year  me  call  he  name  'fo'  dis,  he  wa'n't  so  mighty 
fur  off  w'iles  Brer  Fox  gwine  'long  wid  dat  ar  bag  slung 
'cross  he  back.  Let  'lone  dat,  Brer  Rabbit  'uz  settin' 
right  dar  in  de  bushes  by  de  side  er  de  road,  en  w'ence 
he  see  Brer  Fox  go  trottin'  by,  he  ax  hisse'f  w'at  is  it  dat 
creetur  got  in  dat  ar  bag. 

"  He  ax  hisse'f,  he  did,  but  he  dunno.  He  wunder  en 
he  wunder,  yit  de  mo'  he  wunder  de  mo'  he  dunno.  Brer 
Fox,  he  go  trottin'  by,  en  Brer  Rabbit,  he  sot  in  de  bushes 
en  wunder.  Bimeby  he  'low  ter  hisse'f,  he  did,  dat  Brer 
Fox  aint  got  no  business  fer  ter  be  trottin'  'long  down  de 
road,  totin'  doin's  w'ich  yuther  folks  dunner  w'at  dey  is, 
en  he  'low  dat  dey  Won't  be  no  great  harm  done  ef  he  take 
atter  Brer  Fox  en  fine  out  w'at  he  got  in  dat  ar  bag. 

"Wid  dat,  Brer  Rabbit,  he  put  out.  He  aint  got  no 
bag  fer  ter  tote,  en  he  pick  up  he  foots  mighty  peart. 
Mo'n  dat,  he  tuck'n  tuck  a  nigh-cut,  en  by  de  time  Brer 
Fox  git  home,  Brer  Rabbit  done  had  time  fer  ter  go  'roun' 
by  de  watermillion-patch  en  do  some  er  he  devilment,  en 
den  atter  dat  he  tuck'n  sot  down  in  de  bushes  whar  he 
kin  see  Brer  Fox  w'en  he  came  home. 

"Bimeby  yer  come  Brer  Fox  wid  de  bag  slung  'cross 
he  back.  He  onlatch  de  do',  he  did,  en  he  go  in  en  sling 
Brer  Tarrypin  down  in  de  cornder,  en  set  down  front  er 
de  h'ath  fer  ter  res'  hisse'f." 

Here  Uncle  Remus  paused  to  laugh  in  anticipation  of 
what  was  to  follow. 


BRO.  RABBIT  RESCUES  BRO.  TERRAPIN     393 

"Brer  Fox  aint  mo'n  lit  he  pipe,"  the  old  man  con 
tinued,  lifter  a  tantalizing  pause,  "  'fo'  Brer  Rabbit  stick 
he  head  in  de  do'  en  holler: 

'"Brer  Fox!  O  Brer  Fox!  You  better  take  yo'  walkin'- 
cane  en  run  down  yan.  Comin'  'long  des  now  I  year  a 
mighty  fuss,  en  I  look  'roun'  en  dar  wuz  a  whole  passel 
er  folks  in  yo'  watermillion-patch  des  a-tromplin'  'roun' 
en  a-t'arin'  down.  I  holler'd  at  um,  but  dey  aint  pay  no 
'tention  ter  little  man  lak  I  is.  Make  'a'se,  Brer  Fox! 
make  'a'se!  Git  yo'  cane  en  run  down  dar.  I'd  go  wid 
you  myse'f,  but  my  ole  'oman  ailin'  en  I  bleedz  ter  be 
makin'  my  way  todes  home.  You  better  make  'a'se,  Brer 
Fox,  ef  you  wanter  git  de  good  er  yo'  watermillions.  Run, 
Brer  Fox!  run!' 

"  Wid  dat  Brer  Rabbit  dart  back  in  de  bushes,  en  Brer 
Fox  drap  he  pipe  en  grab  he  walkin'-cane  en  put  out  fer 
he  watermillion-patch,  w'ich  't  wer'  down  on  de  branch; 
en  no  sooner  is  he  gone  dan  ole  Brer  Rabbit  come  out  de 
bushes  en  make  he  way  in  de  house. 

"  He  go  so  easy  dat  he  aint  make  no  fuss  ;  he  look 
'roun'  en  dar  wuz  de  bag  in  de  cornder.  He  kotch  holt 
er  de  bag  en  sorter  feel  un  it,  en  time  he  do  dis,  he  year 
sump'n'  holler: 

'"Ow!  Go 'way!  Lemme'lone!  Tu'n  me  loose!  Ow!' 

"  Brer  Rabbit  jump  back  'stonish'd.  Den  'fo'  you  kin 
wink  yo'  eye-ball,  Brer  Rabbit  slap  hisse'f  on  de  leg  en 
break  out  in  a  laugh.  Den  he  up'n  'low: 

"Ef  I  aint  make  no  mistakes,  dat  ar  kinder  fuss  kin 
come  fum  nobody  in  de  roun'  worP  but  ole  Brer  Tarrypin.' 


394  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

"Brer  Tarrypin,  he  holler,  sezee:  'Aint  dat  Brer 
Rabbit?' 

"  *  De  same,'  sezee. 

" '  Den  whirl  in  en  tu'n  me  out.  Meal  dus'  in  my  th'oat, 
grit  in  my  eye,  en  I  aint  kin  git  my  breff,  skacely.  Tu'n 
me  out,  Brer  Rabbit.' 

"Brer  Tarrypin  talk  lak  somebody  down  in  a  well. 
Brer  Rabbit,  he  holler  back: 

" '  Youer  lots  smarter  dan  w'at  I  is,  Brer  Tarrypin  — 
lots  smarter.    Youer  smarter  en  pearter.    Peart  ez  I  come 
yer,  you  is  ahead  er  me.    I  know  how  you  git  in  de  bag, 
but  I  dunner  how  de  name  er  goodness  you  tie  yo'se'f 
up  in  dar,  dat  I  don't.' 

"Brer  Tarrypin  try  ter  splain,  but  Brer  Rabbit  keep 
on  laughin',  en  he  laugh  twel  he  git  he  fill  er  laughin'; 
en  den  he  tuck'n  ontie  de  bag  en  take  Brer  Tarrypin  out 
en  tote  'im  'way  off  in  de  woods.  Den,  w'en  he  done  dis, 
Brer  Rabbit  tuck'n  run  off  en  git  a  great  big  hornet-nes' 
w'at  he  see  w'en  he  comin'  long  - 

"  A  hornet's  nest,  Uncle  Remus  ? "  exclaimed  the  little 
boy,  in  amazement. 

"Tooby  sho',  honey.  'T  aint  bin  a  mont'  sence  I  brung 
you  a  great  big  hornet-nes',  en  yer  you  is  axin'  dat.  Brer 
Rabbit  tuck'n  slap  he  han'  'cross  de  little  hole  whar  de 
hornets  goes  in  at,  en  dar  he  had  um.  Den  he  tuck'n 
tuck  it  ter  Brer  Fox  house,  en  put  it  in  de  bag  whar  Brer 
Tarrypin  bin. 

"He  put  de  hornet-nes'  in  dar,"  continued  Uncle  Re 
mus,  lowering  his  voice,  and  becoming  very  grave,  "en 


BRO.  RABBIT  RESCUES  BRO.  TERRAPIN    395 

den  he  tie  up  de  bag  des  lak  he  fine  it.  Yit  'fo'  he  put 
de  bag  back  in  de  cornder,  w'at  do  dat  creetur  do  ?  I  aint 
settin'  yer,"  said  the  ole  man,  seizing  his  chair  with  both 
hands,  as  if  by  that  means  to  emphasize  the  illustration, 
"  I  aint  settin'  yer  ef  dat  ar  creetur  aint  grab  dat  bag  en 
slam  it  down  'g'in  de  flo',  en  hit  it  'g'in  de  side  er  de  house 
twel  he  git  dem  ar  hornets  all  stirred  up,  en  den  he  put 
de  bag  back  in  de  cornder,  en  go  out  in  de  bushes  ter 
whar  Brer  Tarrypin  waitin',  en  den  bofe  un  urn  sot  out 
dar  en  wait  fer  ter  see  w'at  de  upshot  gwine  ter  be. 

"Bimeby,  yer  come  Brer  Fox  back  fum  he  water- 
million-patch  en  he  look  lak  he  mighty  mad.  He  strak 
he  cane  down  'pun  de  groun',  en  do  lak  he  gwine  take 
he  revengeance  out'n  po'  ole  Brer  Tarrypin.  He  went 
in  de  do',  Brer  Fox  did,  en  shot  it  atter  'im.  Brer  Rabbit 
en  Brer  Tarrypin  lissen',  but  dey  aint  year  nothin'. 

"  But  bimeby,  fus'  news  you  know,  dey  year  de  mos' 
owdashus  racket,  tooby  sho'.  Seem  lak,  fum  whar  Brer 
Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarrypin  settin'  dat  dey  'uz  a  whole  passel 
er  cows  runnin'  'roun'  in  Brer  Fox  house.  Dey  year  de 
cheers  a-fallin',  en  de  table  turnin'  over,  en  de  crock'ry 
breakin',  en  den  de  do'  flew'd  open,  en  out  come  Brer 
Fox,  a-squallin'  lak  de  Ole  Boy  wuz  atter  'im.  En  sech  a 
sight  ez  dem  t'er  creeturs  seed  den  en  dar  aint  never  bin 
seed  befo'  ner  sence. 

"Dem  ar  hornets  des  swarmed  on  top  er  Brer  Fox. 
'Lev'm  dozen  un  um  'ud  hit  at  one  time,  en  look  lak  dat 
ar  creetur  bleedz  ter  fine  out  fer  hisse'f  w'at  pain  en  suffin* 
is.  Dey  bit  'im  en  dey  stung  'im,  en  fur  ez  Brer  Rabbit 


396  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

en  Brer  Tarrypin  kin  year  'im,  dem  hornets  'uz  des  a- 
nailin'  'im.  Gentermens!  dey  gun  'im  binjer! 

"Brer  Rabbit  en  Brer  Tarrypin,  dey  sot  dar,  dey  did, 
en  dey  laugh  en  laugh,  twel  bimeby,  Brer  Rabbit  roll  over 
en  grab  he  stomach,  en  holler: 

"Don't,  Brer  Tarrypin!  don't!  One  giggle  mo'  en 
you'll  hatter  tote  me.' 

"  En  dat  aint  all,"  said  Uncle  Remus,  raising  his  voice. 
"I  know  a  little  chap  w'ich  ef  he  set  up  yer  'sputin' 
'longer  me  en  de  t'er  creeturs,  he  won't  have  much  fun 
termorrer  night." 

The  hint  was  sufficient,  and  the  little  boy  ran  out 
laughing. 

LXXI 
THE  NIGHT  BEFORE  CHRISTMAS 

THE  day  and  the  night  before  Christmas  were  full  of 
pleasure  for  the  little  boy.  There  was  pleasure  in  the 
big  house,  and  pleasure  in  the  humble  cabins  in  the 
quarters.  The  peculiar  manner  in  which  the  negroes 
celebrated  the  beginning  of  the  holidays  was  familiar  to 
the  child's  experience,  but  strange  to  his  appreciation,  and 
he  enjoyed  everything  he  saw  and  heard  with  the  ready 
delight  of  his  years,  —  a  delight,  which,  in  this  instance, 
had  been  trained  and  sharpened,  if  the  expression  may 
be  used,  in  the  small  world  over  which  Uncle  Remus 
presided. 

The  little  boy  had  a  special  invitation  to  be  present  at 


THE  NIGHT  BEFORE  CHRISTMAS       397 

the  marriage  of  Daddy  Jack  and  'Tildy,  and  he  went, 
accompanied  by  Uncle  Remus  and  Aunt  Tempy.  It 
seemed  to  be  a  very  curious  affair,  bat  its  incongruities 
made  small  impression  upon  the  mind  of  the  child. 

'Tildy  wore  a  white  dress  and  had  a  wreath  of  artificial 
flowers  in  her  hair.  Daddy  Jack  wore  a  high  hat,  which 
he  persisted  in  keeping  on  his  head  during  the  ceremony, 
and  a  coat  the  tails  of  which  nearly  dragged  the  floor. 
His  bright  little  eyes  glistened  triumphantly,  and  he 
grinned  and  bowed  to  everybody  again  and  again.  After 
it  was  all  over,  the  guests  partook  of  cake  baked  by  Aunt 
Tempy,  and  persimmon  beer  brewed  by  Uncle  Remus. 

It  seemed,  however,  that  'Tildy  was  not  perfectly 
happy ;  for,  in  response  to  a  question  asked  by  Aunt 
Tempy,  she  said: 

"  Yes'm,  I  'm  gwine  down  de  country  'long  wid  my  ole 
man,  an'  I  lay  ef  eve'ything  don't  go  right,  I'm  gwineter 
pick  up  an'  come  right  back." 

"  No-no ! "  exclaimed  Daddy  Jack,  "  'e  no  come  bahck 
no'n  't  all.  'E  bin  stay  dey-dey  wit'  'e  nice  ole-a  man." 

"You  put  yo'  pennunce  in  dat!"  said  'Tildy,  scorn 
fully.  "  Dey  aint  nobody  kin  hoi'  me  w'en  I  takes  a  notion, 
'cep'n  hit's  Miss  Sally;  en,  goodness  knows,  Miss  Sally 
aint  gwine  ter  be  down  dar." 

"Who  Miss  Sally  gwine  put  in  de  house?"  Aunt 
Tempy  asked. 

"Humph!"  exclaimed  'Tildy,  scornfully,  "Miss  Sally 
say  she  gwine  take  dat  ar  Darkess  1  nigger  an'  put  'er  in 

1  Dorcas. 


398  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

my  place.  An'  a  mighty  nice  mess  Darkess  gwine  ter 
make  un  it !  Much  she  know  'bout  waitin'  on  w'ite  folks ! 
Many's  an'  many's  de  time  Miss  Sally  ?11  set  down  in  'er 
rockin'-cheer  an'  wish  fer  'Tildy  —  many's  de  time." 

This  was  'Tildy's  grievance,  —  the  idea  that  some  one 
could  be  found  to  fill  her  place ;  and  it  is  a  grievance  with 
which  people  of  greater  importance  than  the  humble  negro 
house-girl  are  more  or  less  familiar. 

But  the  preparations  for  the  holidays  went  on  in  spite 
of  'Tildy's  grievance.  A  large  platform,  used  for  sunning 
wheat  and  seed  cotton,  was  arranged  by  the  negroes  for 
their  dance,  and  several  wagon-loads  of  resinous  pine  — 
known  as  lightwood  —  were  placed  around  about  it  in  lit 
tle  heaps,  so  that  the  occasion  might  lack  no  element  of 
brilliancy. 

At  nightfall  the  heaps  of  lightwood  were  set  on  fire, 
and  the  little  boy,  who  was  waiting  impatiently  for  Uncle 
Remus  to  come  for  him,  could  hear  the  negroes  singing, 
dancing,  and  laughing.  He  was  just  ready  to  cry  when 
he  heard  the  voice  of  his  venerable  partner. 

"  Is  dey  a'er  passenger  anywhar's  'roun'  yer  fer  Thump- 
town  ?  De  stage  done  ready  en  de  hosses  a-prancin'.  Ef 
dey's  a'er  passenger  'roun'  yer,  I  lay  he  des  better  be 
makin'  ready  fer  ter  go." 

The  old  man  walked  up  to  the  back  piazza  as  he  spoke, 
held  out  his  strong  arms,  and  the  little  boy  jumped  into 
them  with  an  exclamation  of  delight.  The  child's  mother 
gave  Uncle  Remus  a  shawl  to  wrap  around  the  child,  and 
this  shawl  was  the  cause  of  considerable  trouble,  for  the 


THE  NIGHT  BEFORE  CHRISTMAS      399 

youngster  persisted  in  wrapping  it  around  the  old  man's 
head,  and  so  blinding  him  that  there  was  danger  of  his 
falling.  Finally,  he  put  the  little  boy  down,  took  off  his 
hat,  raised  his  right  hand,  and  said : 

"  Now,  den,  I  bin  a-beggin'  un  you  fer  ter  quit  yo' 
'haveishness  des  long  ez  I  'm  a-gwinter,  en  I  aint  gwine  beg 
you  no  mo',  'kaze  I  'm  des  teetotally  wo'  out  wid  beggin', 
en  de  mo'  I  begs  de  wuss  you  gits.  Now  I  'm  done !  You 
des  go  yo'  ways  en  I'll  go  mine,  en  my  way  lays  right 
spang  back  ter  de  big  house  whar  Miss  Sally  is.  Dat's 
whar  I  'm  a-gwine ! " 

Uncle  Remus  started  to  the  house  with  an  exaggerated 
vigor  of  movement  comical  to  behold ;  but,  however  comi 
cal  it  may  have  been,  it  had  its  effect.  The  little  boy  ran 
after  him,  caught  him  by  the  hand,  and  made  him  stop. 

"  Now,  Uncle  Rernus,  please  don't  go  back.  I  was  just 
playing." 

Uncle  Remus's  anger  was  all  pretence,  but  he  managed 
to  make  it  very  impressive. 

"My  playin'  days  done  gone  too  long  ter  talk  'bout. 
When  I  plays,  I  plays  wid  wuk,  dat  w'at  I  plays  wid." 

"Well,"  said  the  child,  who  had  tactics  of  his  own, 
"  if  I  can't  play  with  you,  I  don't  know  who  I  am  to  play 
with." 

This  touched  Uncle  Remus  in  a  very  tender  spot.  He 
stopped  in  the  path,  took  off  his  spectacles,  wiped  the 
glasses  on  his  coat-tail,  and  said  very  emphatically: 

"  Now  den,  honey,  des  lissen  at  me.  How  de  name  er 
goodness  kin  you  call  dat  playin',  w'ich  er  little  mo'  en 


400  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

I  'd  er  fell  down  on  top  er  my  head,  en  broke  my  neck  en 
yone  too  ?  " 

The  child  promised  that  he  would  be  very  good,  and 
Uncle  Remus  picked  him  up,  and  the  two  made  their 
way  to  where  the  negroes  had  congregated.  They  were 
greeted  with  cries  of  "  Dar  's  Unk  Remus ! "  "  Howdy,  Unk 
Remus!"  "Yer  deyis!"  "  Ole  man  Remus  don't  sing; 
but  w'en  he  do  sing  —  gentermens!  des  go  'way!" 

All  this  and  much  more,  so  that  when  Uncle  Remus  had 
placed  the  little  boy  upon  a  corner  of  the  platform,  and 
made  him  comfortable,  he  straightened  himself  with  a 
laugh  and  cried  out : 

"  Howdy,  boys !  howdy  all !  I  des  come  up  fer  ter  jine  in 
wid  you  fer  one  'roun'  fer  de  sakes  er  ole  times,  ef  no  mo'." 

"  I  boun'  fer  Unk  Remus ! "  some  one  said.  "  Now  des 
hush  en  let  Unk  Remus  'lone ! "  exclaimed  another. 

The  figure  of  the  old  man,  as  he  stood  smiling  upon  the 
crowd  of  negroes,  was  picturesque  in  the  extreme.  He 
seemed  to  be  taller  than  all  the  rest;  and,  notwithstand 
ing  his  venerable  appearance,  he  moved  and  spoke  with 
all  the  vigor  of  youth.  He  had  always  exercised  authority 
over  his  fellow-servants.  He  had  been  the  captain  of  the 
corn-pile,  the  stoutest  at  the  log-rolling,  the  swiftest  with  the 
hoe,  the  neatest  with  the  plough,  and  the  plantation  hands 
still  looked  upon  him  as  their  leader. 

Some  negro  from  the  River  place  had  brought  a  fiddle, 
and,  though  it  was  a  very  feeble  one,  its  screeching  seemed 
to  annoy  Uncle  Remus. 

"Put  up  dat  ar  fiddle!"  he  exclaimed,  waving  his  hand. 


THE  NIGHT  BEFORE  CHRISTMAS       401 

"  Des  put  'er  up ;  she  sets  my  toof  on  aidje.  Put  'er  up 
en  less  go  back  ter  ole  times.  Dey  aint  no  room  fer  no 
fiddle  'roun'  yer,  'kaze  w'en  you  gits  me  started  dat  ar 
fiddle  won't  be  nowhars." 

"Dat's  so,"  said  the  man  with  the  fiddle,  and  the  irri 
tating  instrument  was  laid  aside. 

"Now,  den,"  Uncle  Remus  went  on,  "dey's  a  little 
chap  yer  dat  you  '11  all  come  ter  know  mighty  well  one  er 
deze  odd-come-shorts,  en  dish  yer  little  chap  aint  got  so 
mighty  long  fer  ter  set  up  'long  wid  us.  Dat  bein'  de 
case  we  oughter  take'n  put  de  bes'  foot  fo'mus'  fer  ter 
commence  wid." 

"You  lead,  Unk  Remus!  You  des  lead  en  we'll 
foller." 

Thereupon  the  old  man  called  to  the  best  singers  among 
the  negroes  and  made  them  stand  near  him.  Then  he 
raised  his  right  hand  to  his  ear  and  stood  perfectly  still. 
The  little  boy  thought  he  was  listening  for  something,  but 
presently  Uncle  Remus  began  to  slap  himself  gently  with 
his  left  hand,  first  upon  the  leg  and  then  upon  the  breast. 
The  other  negroes  kept  time  to  this  by  a  gentle  motion  of 
their  feet,  and  finally,  when  the  thump  —  thump  —  thump 
of  this  movement  had  regulated  itself  to  suit  the  old  man's 
fancy,  he  broke  out  with  what  may  be  called  a  Christmas 
dance  song. 

His  voice  was  strong,  and  powerful,  and  sweet,  and  its 
range  was  as  astonishing  as  its  volume.  More  than  this, 
the  melody  to  which  he  tuned  it,  and  which  was  caught 
up  by  a  hundred  voices  almost  as  sweet  and  as  powerful 


402  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

as  his  own,  was  charged  with  a  mysterious  and  pathetic 
tenderness. 

The  fine  company  of  men  and  women  at  the  big  house 

—  men  and  women  who  had  made  the  tour  of  all  the 
capitals  of  Europe  —  listened  with  swelling  hearts  and  with 
tears  in  their  eyes  as  the  song  rose  and  fell  upon  the  air 

—  at  one  moment  a  tempest  of  melody,  at  another  a  heart 
breaking  strain  breathed  softly  and  sweetly  to  the  gentle 
winds.    The  song  that  the  little  boy  and  the  fine  company 
heard  was  something  like  this  —  ridiculous  enough  when 
put  in  cold  type,  but  powerful  and  thrilling  when  joined 
to  the  melody  with  which  the  negroes  had  invested  it : 

MY  HONEY,  MY  LOVE. 

Hit  's  a  mighty  fur  ways  up  de  Far'well  Lane, 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
You  may  ax  Mister  Crow,  you  may  ax  Mr.  Crane, 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
Dey  'II  make  you  a  bow,  en  dey  'II  tell  you  de  same, 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
Hit 's  a  mighty  fur  ways  fer  to  go  in  de  night, 

My  honey,  my  love  ! 
My  honey,  my  love,  my  heart's  delight  — 

My  honey,  my  love ! 

Mister  Mink,  he  creep  twel  he  wake  up  de  snipe, 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
Mister  Bull-Frog  holler,  Come-a-light  my  pipe, 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
En  de  Partridge  ax,  Aint  yo'  peas  ripe  ? 

My  honey,  my  love ! 


THE  NIGHT  BEFORE  CHRISTMAS       403 

Better  not  ivalk  erlong  dar  much  alter  night, 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
My  honey,  my  love,  my  heart's  delight  — 

My  honey,  my  love ! 

De  Bully-Bat  fly  mighty  close  ter  de  groun', 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
Mister  Fox,  he  coax  'er,  Do  come  down! 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
Mister  Coon,  he  rack  all  'roun  en  'roun, 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
In  de  darkes'  night,  oh,  de  nigger,  he  's  a  sight ! 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
My  honey,  my  love,  my  heart's  delight  — 

My  honey,  my  love ! 

Oh,  ftee,  Miss  Nancy,  flee  ter  my  kneey 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
'Lev'm  big  fat  coons  lives  in  one  tree, 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
Oh,  ladies  all,  wont  you  marry  me  ? 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
Tun  lef,  tun  right,  we  'ull  dance  all  night, 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
My  honey,  my  love,  my  heart's  delight  — 

My  honey,  my  love ! 

De  big  Owl  holler  en  cry  fer  his  mate, 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
Oh,  don't  stay  long  !  Oh,  don't  stay  late ! 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
Hit  aint  so  mighty  fur  ter  de  Good-by  Gate, 

My  honey,  my  love ! 
Whar  we  all  got  ter  go  w'en  we  sing  out  de  nighty 

My  honey,  my  love ! 


404  NIGHTS  WITH  UNCLE  REMUS 

My  honey,  my  love,  my  heart's  delight  — 
My  honey,  my  love ! 

After  a  while  the  song  was  done,  and  other  songs  were 
sung;  but  it  was  not  long  before  Uncle  Remus  discovered 
that  the  little  boy  was  fast  asleep.  The  old  man  took  the 
child  in  his  arms  and  carried  him  to  the  big  house,  sing 
ing  softly  in  his  ear  all  the  way;  and  somehow  or  other 
the  song  seemed  to  melt  and  mingle  in  the  youngster's 
dreams.  He  thought  he  was  floating  in  the  air,  while 
somewhere  near  all  the  negroes  were  singing,  Uncle  Re- 
mus's  voice  above  all  the  rest;  and  then,  after  he  had 
found  a  resting-place  upon  a  soft  warm  bank  of  clouds,  he 
thought  he  heard  the  songs  renewed.  They  grew  fainter 
and  fainter  in  his  dreams  until  at  last  (it  seemed)  Uncle 
Remus  leaned  over  him  and  sang 


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